Does a Male Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Equivalent Exist?

The document reviews the possibility of a male equivalent to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), focusing on the link between early onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and various health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), type II diabetes mellitus (DM II), prostate cancer, and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). It suggests that early onset AGA may be a phenotypic marker of this male syndrome, which could predispose individuals to these conditions. A meta-analysis involving 29,254 participants found a positive association between AGA and coronary heart disease (CHD), as well as higher levels of serum cholesterol and blood pressure. The document proposes that hyperinsulinemia, adrenal hyperandrogenism, and lower levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) are involved in the development of AGA and related health risks. It calls for further research to confirm these findings and to explore treatments, such as insulin sensitizers, to prevent long-term complications. The syndrome is not yet named, as more data is needed, but it is considered a metabolic-related gonadal dysfunction with significant cardiovascular and prostate disease risks. No human subjects were directly involved in the study, and no conflicts of interest were declared.