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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

A Modified Technique for Inducing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Mice
Published on: July 5, 2024
Hormonal therapy and cardiovascular risk in polycystic ovary syndrome: a propensity-matched cohort study
Revati Varma1, Ayodeji Ilelaboye1, Ferdinand Ugwuja1
1Department of Internal Medicine, John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Background:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. Hormonal therapy is a cornerstone of PCOS management, yet its long-term cardiovascular safety remains uncertain.
Methods:
This retrospective cohort study using TriNetX included adult women with PCOS stratified by hormonal therapy initiation within 1 month of diagnosis versus never receiving therapy. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs).
Results:
After matching, 104,849 patients were included per cohort. Over 1-year follow-up, hormonal therapy was associated with a lower risk of MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 0.72; 95% confidence interval 0.62-0.83), all-cause mortality (HR 0.68; 0.57-0.80), hospitalization (HR 0.55; 0.54-0.57), and atrial fibrillation (HR 0.76; 0.62-0.94) (all P < 0.001). Risks of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias, and venous thromboembolism were similar between groups.
Conclusions:
Hormonal therapy in PCOS was associated with reduced MACE, mortality, and hospitalization without increased thrombotic or arrhythmic risk, supporting cardiovascular safety and potential cardioprotective effects.
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