https://gynecology.gr/userfiles/file/scientific-studies/eshr_asrm_pcos.pdf

Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome

At a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals—often referred to under the umbrella acronym LGBT—are becoming more visible in society and more socially acknowledged, clinicians and researchers are faced with incomplete information about their health status. While LGBT populations often are combined as a single entity for research and advocacy purposes, each is a distinct population group with its own specific health needs. Furthermore, the experiences of LGBT individuals are not uniform and are shaped by factors of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographical location, and age, any of which can have an effect on health-related concerns and needs. While some research about the health of LGBT populations has been conducted, researchers still have a great deal to learn. To help assess the state of the science, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to assess current knowledge of the health status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations; to identify research gaps and opportunities; and to outline a research agenda to help NIH focus its research in this area. A committee of experts was convened by the IOM to consider this task, and its findings are presented in its report, The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding.

The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding

https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(08)01392-7/pdf

The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society criteria for the polycystic ovary syndrome: the complete task force report

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder that affects about one in 15 women worldwide. The major endocrine disruption is excessive androgen secretion or activity, and a large proportion of women also have abnormal insulin activity. Many body systems are affected in polycystic ovary syndrome, resulting in several health complications, including menstrual dysfunction, infertility, hirsutism, acne, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Women with this disorder have an established increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and a still debated increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The diagnostic traits of polycystic ovary syndrome are hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, and polycystic ovaries, after exclusion of other conditions that cause these same features. A conclusive definition of the disorder and the importance of the three diagnostic criteria relative to each other remain controversial. The cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown, but studies suggest a strong genetic component that is affected by gestational environment, lifestyle factors, or both.

/pdf/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-3q2vyq7vw6.pdf

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous condition, the pathophysiology of which appears to be both multifactorial and polygenic. The definition of the syndrome has been much debated. Key features include menstrual cycle disturbance, hyperandrogenism and obesity. There are many extra-ovarian aspects to the pathophysiology of PCOS, yet ovarian dysfunction is central. At a recent joint ASRM/ESHRE consensus meeting, a refined definition of the PCOS was agreed, encompassing a description of the morphology of the polycystic ovary (PCO). According to the available literature, the criteria fulfilling sufficient specificity and sensitivity to define the PCO should have at least one of the following: either 12 or more follicles measuring 2-9 mm in diameter, or increased ovarian volume (> 10 cm3). If there is a follicle > 10 mm in diameter, the scan should be repeated at a time of ovarian quiescence in order to calculate volume and area. The presence of a single PCO is sufficient to provide the diagnosis. The distribution of follicles and a description of the stroma are not required in the diagnosis. Increased stromal echogenicity and/or stromal volume are specific to PCO, but it has been shown that the measurement of ovarian volume (or area) is a good surrogate for quantification of the stroma in clinical practice. A woman having PCO in the absence of an ovulation disorder or hyperandrogenism ('asymptomatic PCO') should not be considered as having PCOS, until more is known about this situation. Three-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound studies may be useful research tools but are not required in the definition of PCO. This review outlines evidence for the current ultrasound definition of the polycystic ovary and technical specifications.

Ultrasound assessment of the polycystic ovary: international consensus definitions.

Descriptions of the effect of androgens on ovarian human tissues are exceptional. This opportunity was provided for us by 17 women with transsexualism--female to male transsexuals (TSX)--who had been given androgens for a mean period of 21 months before hystero-salpingo-oophorectomy took place. Twenty-nine ovaries from TSX and 14 control ovaries from 13 regularly cycling women were examined. As compared with controls, TSX ovaries were enlarged and displayed a two-fold increase in cystic follicles and a 3.5-fold increase in atretic follicles; the ovarian cortex was collagenized and three-times thicker. Theca interna hyperplasia and luteinization were uniformly observed in TSX cystic follicles. Stromal hyperplasia was a constant finding in TSX ovaries, accompanied by clusters of luteinized stromal cells in 12 cases. Eventually, these findings met the histological criteria for the diagnosis of polycystic ovaries. These observations demonstrate that androgens alone may induce polycystic changes. The assumption that the role of androgens is pivotal at the follicular level--inducing follicle growth arrest and accelerating cystic changes--in the genesis of polycystic ovaries is reinforced.

Ovarian morphology in long-term androgen-treated female to male transsexuals. A human model for the study of polycystic ovarian syndrome?

Transvaginal sonography was used in 29 women with regular menstrual cycles and 52 patients with the polycystic ovary syndrome to determine cutoff levels in the size and number of ovarian follicles and ovarian echogenicity and volume for diagnosis of polycystic ovaries. Median values of the mean size and number of follicles and ovarian volume were, respectively, 5.1 mm, 5.0, and 5.9 mL in control subjects and 3.8 mm, 9.8, and 9.8 mL in patients. Ovarian stroma echogenicity was normal in 26 control subjects (90%) and moderately increased in three control subjects (10%), whereas it was markedly increased in 28 patients (54%), moderately increased in 21 patients (40%), and normal in 13 patients (6%). The sensitivity and specificity of moderately or markedly increased echogenicity of ovarian stroma in the diagnosis of polycystic ovaries was 94% and 90%, respectively. The greatest power of discrimination between normal and polycystic ovaries was obtained with combined measurement of follicular size and ovarian volume (sensitivity, 92% [48 of 52 patients]; specificity, 97% [28 of 29 control subjects]).

B. C. J. M. Fauser

Papers

Ovarian morphology in long-term androgen-treated female to male transsexuals. A human model for the study of polycystic ovarian syndrome?

How to discriminate between normal and polycystic ovaries: transvaginal US study.