Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Making Sense of the Alphabet
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: PCOS is the commonest endocrinopathy of reproductive yearswith a quoted prevalence of 5-11%, depending uponpopulations studied.1 Despite being a liberally diagnosed, thedisorder remains relatively poorly understood. The syndromewas first described in 1935 as a conglomeration of symptomsof menstrual irregularity and signs of hyperandrogenism(hirsutism) and of enlarged cystic ovaries. Currently, at leastthree nomenclatures are widely recognized for diagnosingPCOS, with a considerable overlap in the diagnostic criteria(Table 1).2 It is imperative to appreciate the heterogeneitywithin the population diagnosed with PCOS and to recognizethat PCOS remains a diagnosis of exclusion. The commonsystemic disorders that may mimic PCOS includehypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia, late onset congenitaladrenal hyperplasia, androgen secreting tumors, Cushing’ssyndrome and exogenous androgen exposure; these must beexcluded prior to arriving at a diagnosis ofPCOS. -
Author: Lubna Pal
Institution: Yale University
Language: English
Subfield: Reproductive Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2131880664