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The polycystic ovary syndrome:psychosexual correlates
Archives of Sexual Behavior
|May 1, 1977
Summary
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) show increased sexual initiative. This behavior may be linked to elevated free testosterone levels common in PCOS, suggesting a new clinical feature.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with elevated free testosterone.
- Previous research explored psychosexual characteristics in prenatally androgenized women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess psychosexual and behavioral characteristics in women with PCOS.
- To investigate if PCOS women exhibit patterns similar to prenatally androgenized women.
Main Methods:
- Interviewed 11 women with PCOS before treatment.
- Examined six specific behavioral areas: play preference, energy expenditure, appearance interest, career vs. family preference, sexual arousal, and sexual initiative.
Main Results:
- Women with PCOS described patterns in all assessed areas similar to prenatally androgenized women.
- A significant difference was observed only in sexual initiative compared to normal control groups.
Conclusions:
- Increased sexual initiative may be an underrecognized clinical feature of PCOS.
- Elevated free testosterone in PCOS might be linked to heightened sexual initiative.