Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder of ovarian dysfunction manifesting with irregular menstrual cycles (oligomenorrhoea), hyperandrogenism and polycystic appearance of the ovaries (>10 ml size with at least 12 follicles of 9-12 mm size) affecting up to 10% of adult female population. Adult PCOS has been defined by various criteria including Rotterdam 2003 and AES (Androgen Excess Society). There are numerous long-term complications of PCOS including infertility, metabolic diseases (type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease) and psychological problems (depression and anxiety). Due to its association with obesity, modern lifestyle changes and stress, PCOS is emerging as a major public health problem with rising healthcare expenditure on associated chronic complications.
The etio-pathogenesis of PCOS is complex and it is closely linked to an insulin resistant state. Various studies show the association of PCOS with high body mass index (BMI), pro-inflammatory state and hyperinsulinemia. PCOS has also been linked to genetic, environmental, dietary and lifestyle factors which are instrumental in insulin resistance. However, till date the exact pathogenetic mechanism of PCOS remains unknown. Apart form ovarian dysfunction, hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction with increased LH/FSH ratio and increased adrenal androgen production are also implicated in the pathophysiology.
The onset of PCOS generally occurs during the adolescent age. The diagnostic consensus criteria for PCOS in adolescence are very stringent so as to avoid ‘false labeling’ and include the presence of both hyperandrogenism and oligomenorrhoea (without consideration of the ovarian morphology).
With increasing prevalence of lifestyle changes and obesity, there is a simultaneous increase in cases of PCOS manifesting at adolescence. The development of PCOS in adolescence has also been linked to early developmental factors including intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, family history and early adrenarche/pubarche. There is need for more research on adolescent PCOS including identification, predisposing risk factors and ideal treatment and preventive strategies. Frontiers in Endocrinology is coming out with a special edition on Adolescent PCOS and inviting manuscripts on the same.
Articles reviewing and/or updating the following will be considered:
- Diagnostic criteria for adolescent PCOS
- Treatment of adolescent PCOS and outcomes
- Pathogenesis of adolescent PCOS
- Developmental origins of PCOS
- Early life preventive strategies for PCOS
- Research areas in adolescent PCOS
- Public health perspective of adolescent PCOS
Keywords:
Hyperandrogenism, hirsutism, insulin resistance, menstrual irregularity, oligomenorrhoea
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder of ovarian dysfunction manifesting with irregular menstrual cycles (oligomenorrhoea), hyperandrogenism and polycystic appearance of the ovaries (>10 ml size with at least 12 follicles of 9-12 mm size) affecting up to 10% of adult female population. Adult PCOS has been defined by various criteria including Rotterdam 2003 and AES (Androgen Excess Society). There are numerous long-term complications of PCOS including infertility, metabolic diseases (type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease) and psychological problems (depression and anxiety). Due to its association with obesity, modern lifestyle changes and stress, PCOS is emerging as a major public health problem with rising healthcare expenditure on associated chronic complications.
The etio-pathogenesis of PCOS is complex and it is closely linked to an insulin resistant state. Various studies show the association of PCOS with high body mass index (BMI), pro-inflammatory state and hyperinsulinemia. PCOS has also been linked to genetic, environmental, dietary and lifestyle factors which are instrumental in insulin resistance. However, till date the exact pathogenetic mechanism of PCOS remains unknown. Apart form ovarian dysfunction, hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction with increased LH/FSH ratio and increased adrenal androgen production are also implicated in the pathophysiology.
The onset of PCOS generally occurs during the adolescent age. The diagnostic consensus criteria for PCOS in adolescence are very stringent so as to avoid ‘false labeling’ and include the presence of both hyperandrogenism and oligomenorrhoea (without consideration of the ovarian morphology).
With increasing prevalence of lifestyle changes and obesity, there is a simultaneous increase in cases of PCOS manifesting at adolescence. The development of PCOS in adolescence has also been linked to early developmental factors including intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, family history and early adrenarche/pubarche. There is need for more research on adolescent PCOS including identification, predisposing risk factors and ideal treatment and preventive strategies. Frontiers in Endocrinology is coming out with a special edition on Adolescent PCOS and inviting manuscripts on the same.
Articles reviewing and/or updating the following will be considered:
- Diagnostic criteria for adolescent PCOS
- Treatment of adolescent PCOS and outcomes
- Pathogenesis of adolescent PCOS
- Developmental origins of PCOS
- Early life preventive strategies for PCOS
- Research areas in adolescent PCOS
- Public health perspective of adolescent PCOS
Keywords:
Hyperandrogenism, hirsutism, insulin resistance, menstrual irregularity, oligomenorrhoea
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.