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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome pp 37–49Cite as

Polycystic Ovary Versus Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

A Necessary Distinction

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Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Summary

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous condition. Polycystic ovaries are detected in 19–33% of the “general population,” of whom approximately 80% have symptoms of PCOS, albeit for many such symptoms are usually mild. Thus, about 20% of women with polycystic ovaries are symptom free. It appears that ovarian dysfunction is expressed when the ovaries of women with polycystic ovaries alone are stressed, by either a gain in weight, a rise in circulating insulin levels, or stimulation with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) for assisted conception treatments. Longitudinal studies are required to better explore the evolution of signs and symptoms of the syndrome over time in women with polycystic ovaries and by comparison with those with normal ovaries.

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Authors
  1. Adam Balen MD FRCOG
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

    Andrea Dunaif MD

  2. Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA

    R. Jeffrey Chang MD

  3. Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Stephen Franks MD, FMEDSCI

  4. Department of Ob/Gyn, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA

    Richard S. Legro MD

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© 2008 Humana Press

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Balen, A. (2008). Polycystic Ovary Versus Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. In: Dunaif, A., Chang, R.J., Franks, S., Legro, R.S. (eds) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-108-6_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-108-6_4

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-831-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-108-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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