Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

PCOS

Refining diagnostic features in PCOS to optimize health outcomes

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with adverse metabolic and reproductive outcomes and guidelines recommend early diagnosis, screening and management. However, new stricter definitions of the diagnostic features of polycystic ovaries on ultrasonography might in fact exclude some women from a diagnosis of PCOS who could benefit from preventive management.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Relevant articles

Open Access articles citing this article.

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. March, W. A. et al. The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in a community sample assessed under contrasting diagnostic criteria. Hum. Reprod. 25, 544–551 (2010).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Teede, H. J. et al. Assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome: summary of an evidence-based guideline. Med. J. Aust. 195, S65–S112 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Quinn, M. M. et al. Raising threshold for diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome excludes population of patients with metabolic risk. Fertil. Steril. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.06.026 (2016).

  4. Dewailly, D. et al. Definition and significance of polycystic ovarian morphology: a task force report from the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society. Hum. Reprod. Update 20, 334–352 (2014).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Gibson-Helm, M. E., Lucas, I. M., Boyle, J. A. & Teede, H. J. Women's experiences of polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis. Fam. Pract. 31, 545–549 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil. Steril. 81, 19–25 (2004).

  7. Kristensen, S. L. et al. A very large proportion of young Danish women have polycystic ovaries: is a revision of the Rotterdam criteria needed? Hum. Reprod. 25, 3117–3122 (2010).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Stepto, N. K. et al. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have intrinsic insulin resistance on euglycaemic-hyperinsulaemic clamp. Hum. Reprod. 28, 777–784 (2013).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Teede, H. J. et al. Longitudinal weight gain in women identified with polycystic ovary syndrome: results of an observational study in young women. Obesity (Silver Spring) 21, 1526–1532 (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Hayes, M. G. et al. Genome-wide association of polycystic ovary syndrome implicates alterations in gonadotropin secretion in European ancestry populations. Nat. Commun. 6, 7502 (2015).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jacqueline A. Boyle or Helena J. Teede.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

PowerPoint slides

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Boyle, J., Teede, H. Refining diagnostic features in PCOS to optimize health outcomes. Nat Rev Endocrinol 12, 630–631 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2016.157

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2016.157

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing