1514 citations,
December 2011 in “Fertility and sterility” Experts agree that PCOS affects women's health in complex ways, but more research is needed to understand and treat it effectively.
67 citations,
February 2010 in “Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica” Hirsutism is a strong sign of high male hormones and metabolic problems in women with PCOS, but acne and hair loss are not.
76 citations,
December 2009 in “Clinics in Dermatology” Hormonal treatments can help with acne but are not the first choice due to side effects and the need for careful patient selection.
105 citations,
January 2009 in “Medicine” Hirsutism is more linked to high androgen levels than acne or hair loss, and a mix of hormonal tests is best for diagnosis; certain treatments can reduce symptoms.
1540 citations,
October 2008 in “Fertility and Sterility” The report concludes that PCOS is mainly a condition of excess male hormones and its definition may change as new information is discovered.
42 citations,
October 2004 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes” The main cause of excessive hair growth in Turkish women is Polycystic ovary syndrome, but in about one fifth of cases, the reason for high male hormone levels is unknown.
947 citations,
February 2004 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Most women with excess male hormones have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and hormonal therapy can improve symptoms but may cause side effects.
4025 citations,
December 2003 in “Human Reproduction” The 2003 consensus updated PCOS diagnosis criteria and linked PCOS to higher risks of diabetes and heart problems, recommending lifestyle changes to lower these risks.
6 citations,
November 1997 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Women with acne and irregular periods had higher active testosterone levels, which could suggest the usefulness of antiandrogen treatment.
