ABSTRACT
Historically the detection of the polycystic ovary required visualization of the ovaries at laparotomy and histologic confirmation following biopsy1. As further studies identified the association of certain endocrine abnormalities in women with histologic evidence of polycystic ovaries, biochemical criteria became the mainstay for diagnosis. Well recognized clinical presentations included menstrual cycle disturbances (oligo/amenorrhea), obesity, and hyperandrogenism manifesting as hirsutism, acne, or androgen-dependent alopecia. Clinical features, however, vary considerably between women, and indeed some women with polycystic ovaries do not appear to display any of the common symptoms2,3. Likewise, the biochemical features associated with PCOS are not consistent in all women4,5. There is considerable heterogeneity of symptoms and signs amongst women with PCOS and for an individual these may change over time5,6.
