Polycystic ovaries as a relative protective factor for bone mineral loss in young women with amenorrhea

Objective To examine the impact of polycystic ovaries (PCO) on bone mineral density in amenorrheic women of reproductive age. Design A retrospective analysis and comparison of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with non-PCOS amenorrheic women. A subgroup of patients with ultrasound (US)-diagnosed PCO was also investigated. Setting Specialist clinic in reproductive endocrinology. Patients, Participants Six hundred ten consecutive cases, mean age of 29.8±7.5years, with current history of amenorrhea of various causes. Main Outcome Measure Bone mineral density in the lumbar spine (LI to L4) as measured by dual energy x ray absorptiometry, in relation to PCOS, US-diagnosed PCO, and US findings of normal ovaries. Results Amenorrheic patients with PCOS were found to be younger ( P P P P Conclusions Patients with amenorrhea because of PCOS and those with US-diagnosed PCO have a higher bone density compared with amenorrheic patients with normal ovaries as detected by US scan.