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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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Clinical Reproductive Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by a constellation of clinical symptoms that include irregular menses due to chronic oligo-ovulation, phenotypic features of hyperandrogenism, and obesity. The term “polycystic ovary” refers to ovarian morphology with increased ovarian stroma and a ring of cortical follicles. Core biochemical features include hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. The pathogenesis of PCOS remains a topic of debate. Treatment of PCOS typically focuses on mitigating the impact of hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and chronic oligo-ovulation and restoring fertility when desired.

Polycystic ovary is defined as having 12 or more follicles in one ovary measuring 2–9 mm in diameter, and/or increased ovarian volume of greater than 10 mL, which is the maximum size of a normal ovary.

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Abbreviations

Ferriman–Gallwey scoring system:

Scores hair growth in nine body areas from 0 (absence of terminal hairs) to 4 (extensive terminal hair growth)

Acanthosis nigricans:

Is a dermatological condition of hyperkeratosis and increased skin pigmentation with raised, symmetrical, darkened, velvety plaques that commonly appear on the nape of the neck

GnRH pulse generator:

Refers to the synchronized pulsatile secretion of GnRH from neurons that are widely distributed in the medial basal hypothalamus

Insulin resistance:

The WHO defines insulin resistance as the lowest quartile of measures of insulin sensitivity

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine Section, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27153, USA

    Erika B. Johnston-MacAnanny MD & Sarah L. Berga MD

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Wake Forest School of Medicine Executive Director, Women’s Health Service Line Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC, 27157, USA

    Erika B. Johnston-MacAnanny MD & Sarah L. Berga MD

Authors
  1. Erika B. Johnston-MacAnanny MD
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  2. Sarah L. Berga MD
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Correspondence to Erika B. Johnston-MacAnanny MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    Tommaso Falcone

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA

    William W. Hurd

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Johnston-MacAnanny, E.B., Berga, S.L. (2017). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. In: Falcone, T., Hurd, W. (eds) Clinical Reproductive Medicine and Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52210-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52210-4_7

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