Hyperandrogenic Eumenorrheic Non-PCOS Women Versus Women with PCOS After the GnRH-Agonist Stimulation Test Preceded by Suppression of Adrenal Steroidogenesis with Dexamethasone

This study compared 41 hyperandrogenic eumenorrheic women without PCOS (EuHyperA) to 92 women with PCOS using a GnRH-agonist stimulation test after adrenal steroidogenesis suppression with dexamethasone. The results indicated that EuHyperA women were older, had smaller ovarian volumes, and lower baseline 17-OHP and free testosterone levels compared to PCOS women. PCOS women exhibited higher serum androgens, particularly DHEAS and free testosterone, likely due to lower SHBG levels, and showed increased ovarian volume and insulin resistance. The study suggests that EuHyperA may represent a milder form of PCOS, with significant differences in hormone levels and metabolic parameters between the two groups.