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The Menstrual Cycle in PCOS

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Diagnosis and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is defined as a syndrome of ovarian dysfunction along with the cardinal features of hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary morphology in the absence of other explanatory endocrinopathies [1]. The etiology of PCOS is multifactorial and complex with hyperinsulinemia, abnormal ovarian steroidogenesis, and neuroendocrine abnormalities playing significant interactive roles. The vast majority of patients have menstrual irregularities and recent studies have indicated that those with menstrual cycle dysfunction also tend to be more hyperandrogenic and hyperinsulinemic [2, 3]. This chapter will review the integration of ovarian, hypothalamic and pituitary factors that occur in normal menstrual cycles; will discuss the variable patterns of menstrual dysfunction in patient with PCOS; and will review what is known about the potential etiology of ovarian dysfunction in PCOS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, St. Paul’s Hospital and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Sabrina Gill

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  1. Sabrina Gill
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  2. Janet E. Hall
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Correspondence to Sabrina Gill .

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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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Gill, S., Hall, J.E. (2009). The Menstrual Cycle in 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_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09718-3_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-09717-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-09718-3

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