POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME: OVERVIEW

A. Ananya, M. Saikala, D. Sudheer Kumar and P. Kishore*

ABSTRACT

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the most common heterogenous complex endocrine disorder. It is affecting approximately 15 % of the women in their reproductive age. The exact cause of the PCOS is unknown, but genetic factors, environmental and endocrine factors plays a crucial role in the etiology of PCOS. Clinical manifestations of the PCOS include hyperandrogensim (hirsutism,acne,alopecia), oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, anovulation, infertility. Insulin resistance is seen in most of the patients with PCOS which may leads to DM. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, insulin tolerance, DM, gestational DM, infertility are the complications of the PCOS. Diagnosis is made by physical and medical history, blood tests to check the hormones levels, ultrasound. Treatment is based on the individual presenting with PCOS. Weight loss and exercise practise can be treated as the first line treatment. Oral contraceptives are the drug of choice for menstrual irregularities. Anti androgens like spironolactone, finasteride are useful in treating hirsutism. Clomiphene citrate is used in treating the infertility, other treatments include laproscopic ovarian drilling, gonadotrophs. Metformin also plays crucial role in ovulation induction.

Keywords: PCOS, Hyperandrogenism, Anovulation, COC’s.