Impaired uterine perfusion associated with metabolic disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including chronic anovulation, obesity, hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia, are commonly observed in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We evaluated uterine perfusion and its correlation with clinical and biochemical parameters in women with PCOS. Methods. We performed a pulsed Doppler study on uterine arterial blood flow in 25 women with PCOS and 45 control women with regular menstrual cycles. PCOS was diagnosed based on oligomenorrhea, polycystic ovaries determined by means of ultrasonography, and elevated luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio. Results. Women with PCOS had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and serum testosterone, and showed insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, including increased total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and decreased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). The uterine arterial pulsatility index (PI) in women w...