Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), an inflammatory, systemic, lifestyle endocrinopathy

Publication date: Available online 17 April 2018
Source:The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Author(s): Seema Patel
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder, afflicting females of reproductive age. This syndrome leads to infertility, apart from a gamut of other metabolic co-morbidities such as insulin resistance, obesity, cardiovascular problems, including a litany of other health issues. PCOS is a polygenic, polyfactorial, systemic, inflammatory, dysregulated steroid state, autoimmune disease, manifesting largely due to lifestyle errors. The advent of biochemical tests and ultrasound scanning has enabled the detection of PCOS in the affected females. Subsequently, a huge amount of insight on PCOS has been garnered in recent times. Interventions like oral contraceptive pills, metformin, and hormone therapy have been developed to bypass or reverse the ill effects of PCOS. However, lifestyle correction to prevent aberrant immune activation and to minimize the exposure to inflammatory agents, appears to be the sustainable therapy of PCOS. This holistic review with multiple hypotheses might facilitate to devise better PCOS management approaches.

Graphical abstract

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