Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy with many clinical manifestations. The effects on women's lives start at puberty and can last throughout her lifetime. Women frequently experience anovulatory menstrual cycles, infertility, hirsutism, obesity and increased risk of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lipid abnormalities, and metabolic syndrome. PCOS is a heterogenous disorder, and a diagnosis of exclusion. In general, women afflicted will have menstrual irregularities, ultrasound findings of abnormal ovarian size and morphology, and clinical or laboratory evidence of hyperandrogenism. This chapter reviews the current understanding of PCOS, associated metabolic abnormalities, and diagnosis in reproductive-aged women, as well as adolescents.