Psychological Studies in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

The importance of psychological factors in the pathogenesis of oligoamenorrhea, through hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, is well known (De Senarclens and Fischer 1983). Many studies have shown psychosomatic amenorrhea to be associated with stress and generally accompanied by weight changes (anorexia). The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has not been widely studied from a psychosomatic point of view, although some authors admit a role for stress in its onset, perhaps by a functional stimulus of the adrenals, with increased discharge of corticoids and androgens, and a secondary alteration of the hypothalamus (Yen et al. 1976, Yen 1986). Lobo et al. (1983) have found the number of stressful Major Life Events to be significantly higher in women with PCOS than in control women with hypothalamic- pituitary dysfunction. Nevertheless, there are no studies on the emotional state of these patients compared with adequate control groups. We have studied 51 cases of PCOS, as part of a larger group of 172 patients with secondary oligoamenorrhea, using various psychological methods habitually employed in the Psychosomatic Unit of our Department.