The Association Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Dermatological Manifestations

Cureus. 2020 Feb 3;12(2):e6855. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6855.

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) commonly occurs in reproductive-age females. It elevates the hormonal levels, creates an imbalance in the metabolic system, and affects their reproductive system too. A number of studies have been conducted on PCOS, and it has been diagnosed together with several dermatological conditions. In this paper, we attempt a traditional review to study the relationship between PCOS and its cutaneous manifestations the patients are predisposed to. To uncover this association, we gathered information from English-language articles on the Pubmed database using six keywords. Materials were also collected from studies done on animal models, which helped in putting down all the data together and interlinking them with other studies. From this data collection, it is ultimately concluded that the association between PCOS and dermatological conditions is a very intricate interconnecting network comprising many factors, such as inflammation, genetics, and hormonal. This study raises some questions that are still unanswered. We believe further research is needed to uncover the various facts about this disease and its associations, in order to make its management more effective. As there is a strong association between PCOS and certain dermatological disorders, it is recommended to develop a questionnaire that should be distributed to every woman who presents to dermatology departments with symptoms that are linked to PCOS, as it will help in diagnosing the condition at an early stage.

Keywords: acne; dermato-endocrinology; hirsutism; hyperandrogenism; metabolic syndrome; pcos.

Publication types

  • Review