TLDR Many women with polycystic ovary syndrome have normal blood sugar, but some may have higher blood sugar levels or diabetes, especially if they are older, overweight, and have certain hormone levels.
The study involved 80 women with newly diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and aimed to estimate the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2), and identify predictors for glucose abnormalities. Results showed that 63% of participants had normal glucose tolerance, 23% had IGT, and 9% had DMT2. Age, body mass index (BMI), sex hormone bounding globulin (SHBG), and testosterone levels were identified as major independent predictors for abnormal glucose metabolism. The study concluded that the prevalence of IGT and DMT2 among PCOS women in their country is lower than in Western countries. However, older, obese women with low SHBG levels need close monitoring due to their higher risk for developing IGT and DMT2.
189 citations,
March 2018 in “Human Reproduction Update” Women with PCOS are more likely to have impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, especially if they are Asian or obese.
135 citations,
April 2017 in “Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine” New treatments for PCOS show promise, including both medication and non-medication options.
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.
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.
4025 citations,
December 2003 in “Human Reproduction” The 2003 consensus updated PCOS diagnosis criteria and linked PCOS to higher risks of diabetes and heart problems, recommending lifestyle changes to lower these risks.
May 2010 in “Current Women's Health Reviews” The document concludes that early diagnosis and treatment of PCOS in teenagers is important for managing symptoms and preventing long-term health problems.
35 citations,
January 2011 in “Clinical Endocrinology” Metformin should be used for PCOS mainly in those with glucose intolerance, and has limited benefits for infertility or hirsutism.
4 citations,
July 2017 in “Medicine” The document concludes that managing PCOS involves lifestyle changes, medication for symptoms, and weight loss for fertility improvement.
1514 citations,
December 2011 in “Fertility and sterility” Experts agree that PCOS affects women's health in complex ways, but more research is needed to understand and treat it effectively.
11 citations,
January 2012 in “International Journal of Endocrinology” Insulin resistance is found in 20% of Thai women with PCOS, with age, waist size, skin changes, and abnormal blood fats increasing the risk.
30 citations,
April 2014 in “Seminars in Reproductive Medicine” Diagnosing PCOS in teenagers is hard because its symptoms often look like normal puberty, and there's a need for better diagnosis methods and agreement on criteria.
