Polycystic ovary syndrome: An important public health problem?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in reproductive-age women, characterized by the presence of clinical and/or biochemical signs of androgen excess, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovaries. Affected women may present with reproductive manifestations, such as irregular menses or infertility, and/or dermatologic manifestations, such as hirsutism, acne, or alopecia. In women living with (WLW) PCOS, these symptoms can be a major source of psychological morbidity and have been associated with reduced health-related quality of life. Mounting evidence also suggests that serious metabolic conditions are associated with PCOS including type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Clinical presentations of the syndrome vary widely, however, and, obesity appears to play a central role in the phenotypic expression of PCOS. For this reason, it is expected that, as the obesity epidemic continues, the public health significance of PCOS will increase. However, only limited data exist about WLW PCOS, suggesting that PCOS is currently an under-recognized public health problem. In response, I review the epidemiology of PCOS in the US, identify the Healthy People goals related to PCOS, and suggest gaps in our understanding which are suitable for future investigation. Such research will promote health and wellness across the lifespan in WLW the syndrome and reduce the burden on PCOS-related conditions.