Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Updated Overview Foregrounding Impacts of Ethnicities and Geographic Variations

November 2022 in “ Life ”

Afrin Yasmin, Shubhadeep Roychoudhury, Arun Paul Choudhury, A. B. Fuzayel Ahmed, Sulagna Dutta, Filomena Mottola, Vivek Verma, Jogen Chandra Kalita, Dhruv Kumar, Pallav Sengupta, Adriana Kolesárová

polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS hyperandrogenism oligomenorrhea endocrine disorder type 2 diabetes infertility

TLDR PCOS prevalence varies by ethnicity and location due to inconsistent diagnosis and limited research.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age, characterized by hyperandrogenism and oligomenorrhea, and associated with serious health issues like type 2 diabetes and infertility. The prevalence of PCOS varies significantly across different ethnicities and geographic regions, largely due to inconsistent diagnostic criteria and limited research. Out of 179 studies, only 55 have explored the relationship between PCOS and race or ethnicity, but these are often limited by small sample sizes and biased selection. This systematic review aims to provide comprehensive epidemiological data on PCOS by organizing it geographically and offers insights into clinical management to encourage further research and the development of preventive treatments.

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Research cited in this study

17 / 17 results

research Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rural and Urban Populations

11 citations , June 2019 in “International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics”

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is more common in urban areas, possibly due to lifestyle and diet, and ignoring it can lead to serious health issues.

research Comprehensive Overview of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

883 citations , August 2016 in “Nature Reviews Disease Primers”

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition in women that can cause metabolic, reproductive, and psychological issues, and requires lifestyle changes and medication for management.

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Fertility

20 citations , January 2016 in “Open Journal of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases”

PCOS affects fertility and is linked to obesity and menstrual irregularities; lifestyle changes are recommended for treatment.

research Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Associated Complications in Iranian Women: A Meta-Analysis

31 citations , October 2015 in “DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)”

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is not very common among Iranian women, but it's important to prevent it because of the risk of heart disease and infertility.

research Clinical Characteristics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Investigating Differences in White and South Asian Women

29 citations , March 2015 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

South Asian women with PCOS present with different symptoms compared to White women, influenced by ethnicity, obesity, and age.

The Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Normal Population According to the Rotterdam Criteria Versus Revised Criteria Including Anti-Mullerian Hormone

research The Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Normal Population According to the Rotterdam Criteria Versus Revised Criteria Including Anti-Mullerian Hormone

221 citations , January 2014 in “Human Reproduction”

Adding anti-Müllerian hormone to PCOS criteria lowers the number of women diagnosed.

research Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

951 citations , December 2013 in “Clinical epidemiology”

PCOS is a common hormonal disorder in women that can be managed with lifestyle changes and various medications.

research Prevalence of Functional Disorders of Androgen Excess in Unselected Premenopausal Women: A Study in Blood Donors

70 citations , February 2012 in “Human Reproduction”

Many young women who donate blood have hormonal disorders like excess male hormones and PCOS.

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

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

926 citations , June 2010 in “BMC Medicine”

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex condition that affects women's mental, reproductive, and metabolic health throughout their lives.

research The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Criteria for the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Complete Task Force Report

1540 citations , October 2008 in “Fertility and Sterility”

The report concludes that PCOS is mainly a condition of excess male hormones and its definition may change as new information is discovered.

A Simple Screening Approach for Assessing Community Prevalence and Phenotype of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Semiurban Population in Sri Lanka

research A Simple Screening Approach for Assessing Community Prevalence and Phenotype of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Semiurban Population in Sri Lanka

120 citations , June 2008 in “American Journal of Epidemiology”

A simple screening method found that 6.3% of women in a semiurban area in Sri Lanka have polycystic ovary syndrome, with most showing menstrual irregularities.

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

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

1744 citations , August 2006 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome should be seen mainly as a condition of excess male hormones, with a focus on this in its definition.

research Diagnosis of Hyperandrogenism: Clinical Criteria

85 citations , June 2006 in “Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism”

The document concludes that hirsutism is the main sign for diagnosing hyperandrogenism, which requires a detailed patient history and physical exam.

research Health Care-Related Economic Burden of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome During the Reproductive Life Span

414 citations , August 2005 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Polycystic ovary syndrome costs the U.S. over $4 billion a year, mainly from treating related health issues.

research Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

4809 citations , January 2004 in “Fertility and Sterility”

The 2003 consensus updated PCOS diagnosis criteria and highlighted increased risks of diabetes and heart disease for those affected.

research A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Unselected Caucasian Women from Spain

491 citations , July 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Polycystic ovary syndrome is found in 6.5% of unselected Caucasian women in Spain.

research A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Unselected Caucasian Women from Spain

298 citations , July 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

About 6.5% of young Caucasian women in Spain have polycystic ovary syndrome.

Related Research

4 / 4 results

research Current Aspects of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Literature Review

15 citations , December 2016 in “Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira”

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal disorder in women, linked to increased risk of metabolic and heart diseases, and needs more research for better understanding and treatment.

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Acne

10 citations , January 2011 in “Skin therapy letter”

Women with PCOS often have acne because of high androgen levels, and the article reviewed how to treat this type of acne.

research The Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Adolescents

212 citations , May 2010 in “American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology”

Diagnosing PCOS in teenagers is challenging and should use strict criteria to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary worry.

research Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

4809 citations , January 2004 in “Fertility and Sterility”

The 2003 consensus updated PCOS diagnosis criteria and highlighted increased risks of diabetes and heart disease for those affected.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Updated Overview Foregrounding Impacts of Ethnicities and Geographic Variations

Research cited in this study

research Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rural and Urban Populations

research Comprehensive Overview of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Fertility

research Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Associated Complications in Iranian Women: A Meta-Analysis

research Clinical Characteristics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Investigating Differences in White and South Asian Women

research The Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Normal Population According to the Rotterdam Criteria Versus Revised Criteria Including Anti-Mullerian Hormone

research Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Prevalence of Functional Disorders of Androgen Excess in Unselected Premenopausal Women: A Study in Blood Donors

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

research The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society Criteria for the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Complete Task Force Report

research A Simple Screening Approach for Assessing Community Prevalence and Phenotype of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Semiurban Population in Sri Lanka

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

research Diagnosis of Hyperandrogenism: Clinical Criteria

research Health Care-Related Economic Burden of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome During the Reproductive Life Span

research Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Unselected Caucasian Women from Spain

research A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Unselected Caucasian Women from Spain

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Related Research

research Current Aspects of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Literature Review

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Acne

research The Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Adolescents

research Revised 2003 Consensus on Diagnostic Criteria and Long-Term Health Risks Related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome