title: Psychological gender of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We compared women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to a control group with regard to intensity of hirsutism and psychological gender.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study, 2005-2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gynecological endocrinology clinic and gynecological practice, Silesian area, Poland.
  
  
  METHODS
  89 women aged 17-42 years with PCOS, in two groups (S1, S2) by age < or ≥31 years, and age-stratified controls of 45 healthy women.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ 12), Ferriman-Gallwey score and Psychological Gender Inventory, to assess masculinity and femininity through self-reported possession of socially desirable, stereotypical personality traits (masculine, feminine, androgynous, undifferentiated), supplemented by questions concerning social status (education, profession) and gynecological history. All questionnaires were anonymous and independently answered during clinic visits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Influence of PCOS and concomitant hirsutism on psychological gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hirsutism (moderate or severe intensity) was observed in a considerably higher number of women from both PCOS groups compared with controls (S1: 49.0 vs. 20.0%, p < 0.05, S2: 41.9 vs. 16.7%, p < 0.05, respectively). Women ≥31 years with PCOS more often viewed themselves as sexually undifferentiated compared with controls (31.8 vs. 6.7%, p < 0.01), less likely to identify with a female gender scheme (18.2 vs. 33.3%), and more likely to see themselves as androgynous (50.0 vs. 40.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women with PCOS have, depending on age and severity of disease, problems with psychological gender identification. Duration and severity of PCOS can negatively affect the self-image of patients, lead to a disturbed identification with the female-gender scheme and, associated with it, social roles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland. kowalczyk.robert@wp.pl
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk
authors.forename: Violetta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Skrzypulec
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lew-Starowicz
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nowosielski
authors.forename: Bartosz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grabski
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Merk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019529:Sexuality / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult