Rates of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms in relatives of patients with PCOS

In a study from 2002, researchers found that female relatives of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibited a higher prevalence of PCOS symptoms compared to controls. The study involved 67 PCOS patients and 48 control patients without hirsutism or infertility. The results showed that hirsutism was significantly more common in the mothers (25%), sisters (22%), aunts (18%), and female cousins (16%) of PCOS patients. Anovulation was more frequent in mothers (30% vs. 4%), aunts (18% vs. 0%), and cousins (11% vs. 0%) of PCOS patients, but not sisters. Infertility rates were higher in sisters (13%) and aunts (20%) of PCOS patients. However, premature balding in male relatives (fathers and brothers) was not more common, suggesting it may not be a marker for the male phenotype of PCOS. These findings support the hereditary nature of PCOS, with hirsutism being more common among female relatives, while anovulation and infertility were increased in certain family members. Unexpectedly, infertility was not more common among the mothers of PCOS patients, and premature balding was not a prevalent symptom among male relatives.