Living with PCOS: A Narrative of its Biology, Diagnosis, and Evolving Treatment
Abstract
Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovarian dysfunction, and metabolic abnormalities. It affects between 4% and 21% of females of fertile age. The present review provides a comprehensive analysis of PCOS, covering pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, prevalence, biochemical markers, and demographic influences. It examines genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle variables, contributing to the conditions, highlighting ethnic disparities in prevalence.
Methods: To systematically analyse current data and refine evidence-based diagnosis and management guidelines, published in 2018, a global team was assembled. A systematic literature search was conducted across major academic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, to identify relevant studies on PCOS pathophysiology, diagnosis, and emerging therapies. Based on the global team's view, our generalised narrative review explores metabolic implications such as glucose intolerance, obesity, and type-2 diabetes, as well as hormonal imbalances involving androgens, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin.
Results: Lifestyle factors, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity significantly influenced PCOS expression. Advancements in diagnosis, including AI-driven evaluation and precision medicine approaches, are discussed, alongside improvements in biochemical testing and treatment strategies.
Discussion: PCOS expression varies by lifestyle,…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Increased expression of circulating miRNA-93 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome may represent a novel, non-invasive biomarker for diagnosis
- Identification of key genes associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cancer using an integrated bioinformatics analysis
- Identification of key pathways and genes in polycystic ovary syndrome via integrated bioinformatics analysis and prediction of small therapeutic molecules
- Regulation of Androgen Receptor Expression Alters AMPK Phosphorylation in the Endometrium: In Vivo and In Vitro Studies in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Effect of oral administration of low-dose follicle stimulating hormone on hyperandrogenized mice as a model of polycystic ovary syndrome
- Systems pharmacology to investigate the interaction of berberine and other drugs in treating polycystic ovary syndrome
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.