Polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity by Maureen Busby- #obsmuk chat's blog 24th July
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting up to one in five women of reproductive age [1]. PCOS is diagnosed according to The Rotterdam diagnostic criteria and is based on two of three features: infrequent periods or lack of ovulation, hyperandrogenism features such as excess facial hair or acne, and polycystic ovaries visible on a scan [2]. Obesity is unlikely to be a cause of PCOS as demonstrated by the prevalence of lean women with the condition. However, having obesity does exacerbate the condition and increase the risk of other serious health problems [3]. Obesity is a common finding in PCOS with estimates of between 40% to 80% of women with PCOS having overweight or obesity [4]. PCOS is associated with several metabolic complications including pre-diabetes, Type II Diabetes and obesity [5]. Having PCOS also increases the risk of Heart Disease, Fatty Liver Disease and Uterine (womb) Cancer [6–8]. The etiology of the disease is not fully und