Current Concepts of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

    June 1997 in “ Baillière's clinical obstetrics and gynaecology ”
    Robert L. Rosenfield
    TLDR PCOS is often caused by hormonal imbalances that can lead to various health issues and may indicate a risk for future metabolic and cardiovascular problems.
    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by unexplained hyperandrogenism, with symptoms including skin issues, lack of ovulation, and obesity. The document from 1997 describes that most cases of PCOS with the full Stein-Leventhal syndrome are due to functional ovarian hyperandrogenism (FOH), which is often associated with abnormal regulation of ovarian androgen secretion, typically due to a failure in the mechanisms that prevent excessive estrogen production. Functional adrenal hyperandrogenism (FAH) is also common in PCOS but less associated with anovulatory symptoms. Insulin resistance is frequently observed in PCOS, with resulting hyperinsulinemia potentially causing dysregulation of androgen secretion, either due to genetic predispositions or obesity. The document suggests that PCOS may be an early indicator of a condition that could lead to cardiovascular and metabolic issues later in life, and that some PCOS patients may also have beta-cell secretory dysfunction, linking the disorder to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The underlying genetic causes of PCOS were not yet understood at the time of the document.
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