Definitions, Prevalence, and Symptoms of Polycystic Ovaries and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

August 2004 in “ Best Practice & Research in Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology ”

Roger Hart, Martha Hickey, Stephen Franks

polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS polycystic ovaries follicles ovarian volume ultrasound examination endocrine disorder obesity diabetes myocardial event cardiovascular diseases androgen exposure ultrasound heart attack hormone imbalance

Studysummary This article reviews the updated ESHRE/ASRM criteria for diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome, emphasizing the need for continued research and collaboration, but reports no new clinical results. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The document from 18 years ago discussed the definitions, prevalence, and symptoms of polycystic ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Polycystic ovaries were defined by the presence of 12 or more follicles in each ovary, each measuring 2–9 mm in diameter, and/or increased ovarian volume (>10 ml). The prevalence of PCOS was difficult to determine due to varying diagnostic criteria, but the incidental finding of polycystic ovaries at the time of ultrasound examination was relatively frequent, occurring in up to 33% of women, with most studies reporting an incidence around 22% in an unselected population. In a study of 173 symptomatic women, the ultrasonographic appearance of polycystic ovaries was noted. Women with polycystic ovaries and no other features of PCOS were regarded as asymptomatic. PCOS was considered the most common endocrine disorder of women in their reproductive years, with implications including increased risk of obesity, diabetes, death after a myocardial event, and potentially other cardiovascular diseases. The condition was believed to originate in early childhood or even fetal life, potentially due to excessive androgen exposure.

View this study on doi.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Prevalence of Polycystic Ovaries in Women with Androgenic Alopecia

84 citations , November 2003 in “European journal of endocrinology”

This study found that women with androgenic alopecia had a higher prevalence of polycystic ovarian morphology and higher androgen levels compared to controls, suggesting a strong association with PCO.

research Developmental Origin of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Hypothesis

430 citations , July 2002 in “Journal of Endocrinology”

This hypothesis paper suggests that PCOS may result from genetically determined ovarian hypersecretion of androgens, influencing hormone regulation and insulin resistance, with obesity further affecting its severity; no new clinical results are reported.

research Screening for 21-Hydroxylase-Deficient Nonclassic Adrenal Hyperplasia Among Hyperandrogenic Women: A Prospective Study

216 citations , November 1999 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that a basal 17-hydroxyprogesterone level is effective for screening nonclassic adrenal hyperplasia in women, with a 4 ng/mL cutoff providing high specificity and positive predictive value.

research Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Unselected Black and White Women of the Southeastern United States: A Prospective Study

378 citations , September 1998 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that the prevalence of PCOS in a population of unselected U.S. women was 4.0%, with no significant racial differences between White and Black women.

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Clinical and Biochemical Features

1947 citations , September 1995 in “New England journal of medicine/The New England journal of medicine”

This article discusses the heterogeneity of polycystic ovary syndrome, its association with insulin resistance, and its implications for long-term health, but reports no new clinical results.

research Obesity and Female Androgenic Alopecia: A Cause and an Effect?

7 citations , June 1994 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This report describes a possible case of burn-induced bullous pemphigoid, as the disease was transient and did not recur, suggesting a potential link between burns and the condition.