The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The 2008 document discussed Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a disorder characterized by oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, hyperandrogenemia, and polycystic ovaries. It was recognized that a significant proportion of overweight women with PCOS also had hyperinsulinemia. The etiology and natural history of PCOS were poorly understood, leading to controversy about the diagnostic criteria and clinical evaluation of the syndrome. PCOS resulted in immediate and long-term morbidities impacting quality of life and economic costs. Immediate morbidities included menstrual dysfunction, abnormal uterine bleeding, subfertility, infertility, and androgen excess-related dermatologic abnormalities such as hirsutism, acne, and androgenic alopecia. There was also an increased risk of obstetrical complications like pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes. Long-term complications included an increased risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and possibly cardiovascular disease. The management of PCOS required consideration of both immediate and long-term morbidities.