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Diagnosis and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome pp 3–13Cite as

Clinical Manifestations of PCOS

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The PCOS is the commonest hyperandrogenic disorder in women and one of the most common causes of ovulatory infertility, with an estimated prevalence of 4–7% worldwide [1]. Over the years, after the first description by Stein and Leventhal in 1935 [2], its definition has been re-addressed several times. In 1990 the National Institutes of Health (NIH) established new diagnostic criteria, based on the presence of hyperandrogenism and chronic oligo-anovulation, with the exclusion of other causes of hyperandrogenism such as adult-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hyperprolactinemia and androgen-secreting neoplasms [3]. The inclusion of ultrasound morphology of the ovaries as a further potential criterion to define PCOS was proposed by the Rotterdam consensus conference, which established that at least two of the following criteria – oligo- and/or anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries (PCO) at ultrasound – are sufficient for the diagnosis [4]. More recently, the fundamental role of hyperandrogenism has been pointed out [5].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University Alma Mater Studiorum, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy

    Pasquali Renato

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  1. Pasquali Renato
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Correspondence to Pasquali Renato .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The London Endocrine Clinic, 21 Wimpole Street, WIG 8GG, London, UK

    Nadir R. Farid

  2. University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece

    Evanthia Diamanti-Kandarakis

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Renato, P. (2009). Clinical Manifestations of PCOS. In: Farid, N.R., Diamanti-Kandarakis, E. (eds) Diagnosis and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09718-3_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09718-3_1

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