Andrology: Polycystic ovary syndrome: the spectrum of the disorder in 1741 patients

Abstract

The criteria for the diagnosis of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have still not been agreed universally. A population of 1741 women with PCOS were studied, all of whom had polycystic ovaries seen by ultrasound scan. The frequency distributions of the serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone and prolactin and the body mass index, ovarian volume, uterine cross-sectional area and endometrial thickness were determined and compared with the symptoms and signs of PCOS. Obesity was associated with hirsutism and an elevated serum testosterone concentration and was also correlated with increased rates of infertility and cycle disturbance. The rates of infertility and cycle disturbance also increased with serum LH concentrations > 10 IU/l. A rising serum concentration of testosterone [mean and 95th percentiles 2.6 (1.1-4.8) nmol/l] was associated with an increased risk of hirsutism, infertility and cycle disturbance. The ovarian volume was correlated with serum concentrations of testosterone, LH and the body mass index, which was also correlated with the uterine area. This descriptive data from the largest reported series of women with PCOS enables the development of a management-orientated approach to the syndrome. Women who are overweight can expect an improvement in their symptoms if they lose weight. An elevated concentration of LH (> 10 IU/l) is associated with infertility and treatment should be chosen accordingly. If the serum testosterone concentration is > 4.8 nmol/l, other causes of hyperandrogenism should be excluded.

Impact of waist-hip-ratio and body-mass-index on hormonal and metabolic parameters in young, obese women

“…Only one woman showed all criteria of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO-syndrome: hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries, abnormal LH-FSHratio b 2.0). 31 Body weight and height were determined in all 58 subjects. WHR was calculated by dividing the waist circumference at the narrowest place above the umbilicus by the hip circumference at the widest place.…”

Association of variants in the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene with polycystic ovary syndrome

“…Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common female endocrinopathy with a prevalence of between 5% and 7% in premenopausal women, and frequently co-exists with both obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus [1][2][3]. Substantial evidence implicates obesity as an important factor in the aetiology of PCOS [4][5][6][7], though the mechanistic links between these conditions and how they interact with type 2 diabetes mellitus are poorly understood.…”

Oocyte quality in polycystic ovaries revisited: Identification of a particular subgroup of women

“…Unfortunately~ any discussion on PCOS is hampered by the fact that there is no consensus definition of this, albeit frequent, clinical finding. While some leading groups require the presence of hyperandrogenism (clinical or biochemical) and chronic anovulation together with PCO (4), other authorized groups claim that the polycystic appearance of the ovaries can provide a unifying diagnostic criterion, which is certainly lacking (3,5). In addition, it has been shown that the incidence of PCO in normal subjects is as high as 23% (6).…”