Polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive endocrinopathy of women during their childbearing years. A significant degree of controversy exists regarding the etiology of this syndrome, but there is a growing consensus that the key features include insulin resistance, androgen excess, and abnormal gonadotropin dynamics. Familial and genetic factors cause predisposition to PCOS. Insulin resistance and adiposity put women with PCOS at a higher risk for diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Even though the adverse health consequences associated with PCOS are substantial, most women are not aware of these risks. Early recognition and treatment of metabolic sequelae should be the main focus of clinicians. Lifestyle modifications, mainly a balanced diet, weight loss, and regular exercise, are of utmost importance. On the pharmacologic front, various therapies including metformin, thiazolidinediones, and others appear to be very promising in the management of cardiometabolic aspects of PCOS.
Cosmopolitan-International Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
Khurshid A
KA
Khan
Sameer
S
Stas
L Romayne
LR
Kurukulasuriya
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D010053:Ovary / Q000503:physiopathology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome