Polycystic ovary syndrome : management review & update

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can be a challenging and frustrating condition for both treating clinician and patient alike. It is a common endocrine disorder occurring in 5-10% of women in the reproductive age. The aetiology is multifactorial and is still not very well understood. Despite diagnostic controversies the Rotterdam criteria is the universally adopted and practiced. It describes the diagnosis of PCOS by the presence of at least two of three (chronic anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound) [Figure 1]. For comprehensive and holistic care of patients with PCOS, one has to understand the (short and long term) complications associated with the disorder. For the purpose of this article, however, we will address only the challenges in the reproductive age and they include menstrual irregularities, hirsutism and/or acne, infertility, obesity and psychological disorders.