Polycystic ovary syndrome Health Article

Prognosis

While PCOS is one of the most common hormone disorders in young women, proper diagnosis and treatment has greatly increased the quality of life in these individuals. Roughly half of women with PCOS will be able to achieve pregnancy, and about three-fourths will see reduction in masculine traits such as hair growth with proper medical treatment. Initiation of vigorous exercise and a restricted diet may result in even better outcomes. It should be noted that patients with PCOS are at higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers and should be seen regularly by a physician. Barring these developments, lifespan in patients with PCOS is approximately the same as the general population.

BOOKS

"Disorders of Ovarian Function" In Williams Textbook of Endocrinology, edited by J. D. Wilson. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1998, pp 781-801.

"Hypofunction of the Ovaries." In Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, edited by R.E. Behrman. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 2000, pp 1752-1758.

Kistner's Gynecology and Women's Health, edited by K. J. Ryan. St. Louis: Mosby, 1999.

PERIODICALS

Hunter, M.H. "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: It's Not Just Infertility." American Family Physician 62(September 2000): 1079-1088.

ORGANIZATIONS

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association. PO Box 80517, Portland, OR 97280. (877) 775-PCOS. <http://www.pcosupport.org>.

WEBSITES

"Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 1." OMIM—Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=184700>.

Oren Traub, MD, PhD