Challenges in diagnosis and understanding of natural history of polycystic ovary syndrome

Anju E Joham; Terhi Piltonen; Marla E Lujan; Sylvia Kiconco; Chau Thien Tay

doi:10.1111/cen.14757

Challenges in diagnosis and understanding of natural history of polycystic ovary syndrome

Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2022 Aug;97(2):165-173. doi: 10.1111/cen.14757. Epub 2022 May 30.

Authors

Anju E Joham^{1

2}, Terhi Piltonen³, Marla E Lujan⁴, Sylvia Kiconco¹, Chau Thien Tay^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
² Department of Diabetes and Vascular Medicine, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PEDEGO Research Unit, Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
⁴ Division of Nutritional Sciences, Colleges of Human Ecology and Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting 8%-13% of reproductive-aged women. The aetiology of the syndrome is complex, with genetic susceptibility, androgen exposure in early life and adiposity related dysfunction leading to perturbance in hypothalamic-ovarian function. PCOS clinical features are heterogeneous, with manifestations arising even in early adolescence, developing into multisystem reproductive, metabolic and psychological manifestations in adulthood. In this review, we will discuss challenges in the diagnosis of PCOS and understanding of the natural history of PCOS.

Keywords: challenges; diagnosis; natural history; phenotypes; polycystic ovary syndrome.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adiposity
Adolescent
Adult
Androgens
Female
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Humans
Obesity / complications
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / metabolism

Substances

Androgens