Volume : 12, Issue : 09, September – 2025

Title:

POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME: A SHORT REVIEW

Authors :

Anupa M Chandran , Jayachandran T P, Varsha V

Abstract :

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent and complex endocrine disorder affecting reproductive-aged women globally, characterized by a triad of hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, and management strategies for PCOS. The etiology is multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors, with insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism being the central pathophysiological drivers. Clinically, PCOS presents with a wide spectrum of symptoms, ranging from reproductive issues like menstrual irregularities and infertility to androgenic signs such as hirsutism and acne. The diagnosis primarily relies on the Rotterdam criteria, which require the presence of at least two of the three cardinal features. Beyond its reproductive and aesthetic impact, PCOS is a significant risk factor for a host of serious long-term comorbidities, including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer. The management approach is highly individualized and aims to address the patient’s primary concerns while mitigating future health risks. Treatment strategies encompass a multi-pronged approach, including lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise as first-line therapy, followed by pharmacological interventions like oral contraceptives, anti-androgens, and insulin-sensitizing agents such as metformin. This review underscores the critical need for early diagnosis and a holistic, patient-centered approach to care to improve the quality of life and long-term health outcomes for women with PCOS.
Keywords: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Hyperandrogenism, Insulin Resistance, Infertility, Menstrual cycle

Cite This Article:

Please cite this article in press Anupa M Chandran et al., Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Short Review, Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2025; 12(09).

REFERENCES:

1. Bulsara J, Patel P, Soni A, Acharya S. A review: brief insight into polycystic ovarian syndrome. Endocrine and metabolic science. 2021 Jun 30;3:100085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.endmts.2021.100085
2. Deswal R, Narwal V, Dang A, Pundir CS. The prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome: a brief systematic review. Journal of human reproductive sciences. 2020 Oct 1;13(4):261-71. 10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_95_18.
3. Azziz R, Carmina E, Chen Z, Dunaif A, Laven JS, Legro RS, Lizneva D, Natterson-Horowtiz B, Teede HJ, Yildiz BO. Polycystic ovary syndrome. Nature reviews Disease primers. 2016 Aug 11;2(1):1-8. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2016.57.
4. Chaudhuri A. Polycystic ovary syndrome: Causes, symptoms, pathophysiology, and remedies. Obesity Medicine. 2023 May 1;39:100480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obmed.2023.100480
5. Jakubowska-Kowal KM, Skrzynska KJ, Gawlik-Starzyk AM. Prevalence and diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adolescents—what’s new in 2023? Systematic review. Ginekologia Polska. 2024;95(8):643-9. DOI: 10.5603/gpl.98849
6. Christensen SB, Black MH, Smith N, Martinez MM, Jacobsen SJ, Porter AH, Koebnick C. Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents. Fertility and sterility. 2013 Aug 1;100(2):470-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.04.001
7. Neven AC, Laven J, Teede HJ, Boyle JA. A summary on polycystic ovary syndrome: diagnostic criteria, prevalence, clinical manifestations, and management according to the latest international guidelines. InSeminars in reproductive medicine 2018 Jan (Vol. 36, No. 01, pp. 005-012). Thieme Medical Publishers. 10.1055/s-0038-1668085.
8. Goodarzi MO, Azziz R. Diagnosis, epidemiology, and genetics of the polycystic ovary syndrome. Best practice & research Clinical endocrinology & metabolism. 2006 Jun 1;20(2):193-205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beem.2006.02.005
9. King J. Polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health. 2006 Nov 1;51(6):415-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmwh.2006.01.008
10. Azziz R. Polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance, and molecular defects of insulin signaling. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2002 Sep 1;87(9):4085-7. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2002-021131
11. McCartney CR, Campbell RE. Abnormal GnRH pulsatility in polycystic ovary syndrome: recent insights. Current opinion in endocrine and metabolic research. 2020 Jun 1;12:78-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coemr.2020.04.005
12. Ye W, Xie T, Song Y, Zhou L. The role of androgen and its related signals in PCOS. Journal of cellular and molecular medicine. 2021 Feb;25(4):1825-37. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.16205
13. Witchel SF, Teede HJ, Peña AS. Curtailing pcos. Pediatric research. 2020 Jan;87(2):353-61. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-019-0615-1.
14. Shahid R, Mahnoor, Awan KA, Iqbal MJ, Munir H, Saeed I. Diet and lifestyle modifications for effective management of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Journal of food biochemistry. 2022 Jul;46(7):e14117. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.14117
15. Shermin S, Noor A, Jahan S. Polycystic ovary syndrome: a brief review with recent updates. Delta Medical College Journal. 2019;7(2):84-99. https://doi.org/10.3329/dmcj.v7i2.45567
16. El Hayek S, Bitar L, Hamdar LH, Mirza FG, Daoud G. Poly cystic ovarian syndrome: an updated overview. Frontiers in physiology. 2016 Apr 5;7:124. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.00124
17. Rababa’h AM, Matani BR, Yehya A. An update of polycystic ovary syndrome: causes and therapeutics options. Heliyon. 2022 Oct 1;8(10).
18. Setji TL, Brown AJ. Polycystic ovary syndrome: diagnosis and treatment. The American journal of medicine. 2007 Feb 1;120(2):128-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2006.06.029
19. dehghani Firouzabadi R, Aflatoonian A, Modarresi S, Sekhavat L, MohammadTaheri S. Therapeutic effects of calcium & vitamin D supplementation in women with PCOS. Complementary therapies in clinical practice. 2012 May 1;18(2):85-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2012.01.005