Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The diagnosis criteria follows the 2003 Rotterdam diagnosis consensus workshop:

The diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is present if any two out of the following three criteria are met and other hormonal conditions are excluded:

• Oligo- or Anovulation usually diagnosed when menstrual cycles are longer than 35 days and/or the progesterone level in the late luteal phase is low
  
• Clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism diagnosed when the clinical markers of hyperandrogenism mentioned above are present and/or total or free testosterone level is elevated
  
• Polycystic ovaries visualised on the pelvic ultrasound, defined by the presence of 12 or more follicles 2-9 mm in diameter and/or an increased ovarian volume >10 ml (without cyst or dominant follicle in either ovary)

And exclusion of other causes such as pregnancy, thyroid diseases, hyperprolactinemia, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypothalamic amenorrhoea, premature ovarian insufficiency, androgen secreting tumour, Cushing syndrome and acromegaly.