[Persistent follicle syndrome: a forgotten clinical entity?]

There is no evidence that morphologic alterations of the ovaries cause symptoms of hormonal imbalance and a deficit in ovarian hormones in a case of micro-cystic degeneration of the ovaries. Similarly, fertility does not have to be impeded, since follicular development may be unaffected. In absence of functional disturbances, such as amenorrhea or anovulation, no therapy is needed. A different approach is, however, required when the ovaries contain larger, hormone-producing cysts which can persist for a long time. In contrast to micro-cystic ovaries the presence of persistent ovarian follicles can entail marked risks of endometrial hyperplasia, severe uterine bleeding, and anemia.