ABSTRACT
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) typically present to their general practitioner, gynecologist or endocrinologist with menstrual irregularity, infertility, obesity, or androgenic symptoms of hirsutism or acne. Underlying these symptoms however, is a range of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities, which predispose these women to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This view of the syndrome as a multisystem disorder dates back to 1980 when Burghen et al.1 identified the central role of insulin resistance in women with PCOS. Since that time it has been found to be associated with obesity,2-5 lipid abnormalities,6-8 impaired glucose tolerance,9-11 insulin resistance,12 hypertension,7,13 and higher circulating levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor.14
