Depression, Higher Level of Tension Induction, and Impaired Coping Strategies in Response to Stress in Women with PCOS Correlate with Clinical and Laboratory Indices of Hyperandrogenism and Not with Central Obesity and Insulin Resistance

August 2024 in “ Archives of Women s Mental Health ”

Edyta Dutkiewicz, Dominik Rachoń, Miłosz Dziedziak, Agnieszka Kowalewska, Joanna Moryś

PCOS hyperandrogenism serum testosterone androstenedione central obesity insulin resistance polycystic ovary syndrome high androgen levels testosterone belly fat

TLDR Women with PCOS have more depression and stress due to high androgen levels, not obesity or insulin resistance.

The study involving 42 women with PCOS and 39 healthy controls found that women with PCOS exhibited higher levels of depression, tension induction, and impaired coping strategies, which correlated with clinical and laboratory indices of hyperandrogenism (e.g., serum testosterone levels) rather than central obesity or insulin resistance. This suggests that the psychological challenges in women with PCOS are more closely related to hyperandrogenism than to metabolic factors.

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Depression, Higher Level of Tension Induction, and Impaired Coping Strategies in Response to Stress in Women with PCOS Correlate with Clinical and Laboratory Indices of Hyperandrogenism and Not with Central Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Research cited in this study

research Association Between the Serum Estrone-to-Estradiol Ratio and Parameters Related to Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Resistance in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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

research Comprehensive Overview of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Differential Diagnosis of Hyperandrogenism in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Complex Condition with Psychological, Reproductive, and Metabolic Manifestations That Impacts Health Across the Lifespan

research Criteria for Defining Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as a Predominantly Hyperandrogenic Syndrome: An Androgen Excess Society Guideline

research Diagnostic Criteria for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

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