Beyond Hormones: A Systematic Review of the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

November 2024 in “ Cureus ”

Chandrani Dutta, Spandana Maddukuri

polycystic ovary syndrome androgenic alopecia insulin resistance obesity TNF-alpha IL-1 IL-6 CRP trimethylamine-N-oxide PCOS alopecia androgenica tumor necrosis factor alpha C-reactive protein TMAO

TLDR Women with PCOS have a higher risk of heart disease due to factors like insulin resistance and obesity.

This systematic review investigates the increased cardiovascular risk (CVR) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common condition characterized by symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, hirsutism, and alopecia androgenica. The review highlights that women with PCOS often exhibit insulin resistance and obesity, which contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation and elevated inflammatory markers like TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, and CRP. Additionally, alterations in gut microbiota leading to increased trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels, a pro-atherosclerotic metabolite, are linked to heightened CVR. The review analyzed 8 high-quality articles from a pool of 89, focusing on human studies published between 2019 and 2024, to identify the underlying causes of increased CVR in PCOS-affected women.

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3 / 3 results

research The Current and Emerging Role of Statins in the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Evidence to Date

January 2024 in “Medicina”

Statins may help treat PCOS by lowering androgen levels and improving cholesterol.

research Pharmacological Approaches to Controlling Cardiometabolic Risk in Women with PCOS

26 citations , December 2020 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

Treatments for PCOS aim to reduce androgen levels and improve insulin sensitivity to lower cardiometabolic risk.

research Recommendations on Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Women with PCOS to Reduce Body Weight and Improve Metabolic Disorders

1 citations , April 2019 in “Endokrynologia Polska”

Healthy diet and exercise are important for women with PCOS to manage weight and metabolic issues, and supplements like omega-3, vitamin D, and inositol may help.