Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Women With Diabetes

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Prevalence of polycystic ovarian changes and polycystic ovary syndrome in premenopausal women with treated type 2 diabetes mellitus, by F. Kelestimur and colleagues. Fertil Steril 86:405–410, 2006.

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormone disorder that affects women of childbearing age. About 5–10% of women of childbearing age have PCOS, which is marked by irregular or missed periods, excessive body hair, and development of male characteristics.

Polycystic ovary (PCO) is a disease that affects the female sex glands and causes enlarged ovaries and numerous blister-like cysts on the ovaries.

Both PCOS and diabetes are linked to the body’s inability to handle insulin and glucose. It is known that women with PCOS often have diabetes, but it’s not clear how many premenopausal women have PCOS.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

Researchers wanted to learn how often women with type 2 diabetes have PCOS or PCO.

Who was studied?

The study included 92 premenopausal women with diabetes who were cared for at one medical center. For comparison, the study also included 20 healthy women with no history of diabetes, PCOS, or PCO.

How was the study done?

Participants had physical exams and blood tests for hormone levels and to see how well their bodies handled insulin and glucose. Ultrasound tests assessed the health of their ovaries.

What did the researchers find?

More than 60% of the women with diabetes had normal ovaries, while 33% had PCO and 4.3% had PCOS.

What were the limitations of the study?

The researchers found a rate of PCOS that is much lower than that found in previous reports, suggesting there could be differences in how these study patients were selected, or that there might be other differences in their health.

What are the implications of the study?

PCO is common in women with type 2 diabetes, but PCOS is not. Unknown is whether improving the body’s ability to handle insulin and glucose improves the hormonal aspects of the conditions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Women’s Health Issues

Women and Diabetes, 2nd Edition