Interní Med. 2008; 10(10): 461-465

Current opinion on polycystic ovary syndrome

MUDr. Hana Šarapatková

Interní a endokrinologická ordinace Olomouc

Since the time Stein and Leventhal published the description of 7 female patients with amenorrhea, hirsutism, obesity and characteristic cysts on ovaries (PCO) in 1935, many years have passed. It was one of the first descriptions of complex of phenotypic manifestation which are called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). During the time PCO turned up to be one of the most frequent endocrine diseases in females in fertile age. It is not a single outlined disease, but a syndrome with various phenotypic manifestations. It is characterized by ovulation disorder (clinically amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea), hyperandrogenemia that may present with hirsutism, acne and alopecia and characteristic findings of cysts on sonography of ovaries. Frequently it is accompanied by obesity, hyperinsulinemia, insulinoresistence, dyslipidemy. PCOS has influence on females during the whole life, by its influence on reproduction, metabolism and cardiovascular system. Because of its high prevalence in females of fertile age (according various sources in 6-15%) a lot of attention is paid to its etiology, pathogenesis, and especially its therapy. In spite of a number of recent findings, there is still a lack of information that would explain the variety of manifestations of PCO. There are also no data from clinical studies that would fulfill criteria of EBM (evidence based medicine) and deal with question of therapy. Currently we recommend females with PCOS besides weight reduction in obese hormonal contraception and antiandrogens. Recently more information appears about the use of metformine and glitazones.

Keywords: Key words: polycystic ovary syndrome, oligomenorrhea, androgens.

Published: January 1, 2009  Show citation