Menstrual cycle disorders in polycystic ovary syndrome--ultrasonographic characteristics and hormonal status

Abstract

The polycystic ovary syndrome is primarily characterized by an association of hyperandrogenism and anovulation. The aim was to determine the incidence of menstrual cycle disorders in patients with PCO syndrome and the relation with ultrasonographic and hormonal findings. A retrospective study examined the ultrasonographic findings and hormonal status in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the General Hospital in Subotica. The sample comprised 39 patients. Most frequently age at menarche was 14 years (29%) in obese and 10 years (45.5%) in normal weight patients. There was not a significant difference in duration of menstrual bleeding in both groups of examined patients, whereas amenorrhea was significantly more frequent in obese patients (29.4%) than in patients with normal weight (4.7%). On the basis of presented results (increased percentage of severe disorders of menstrual cycle in all patients in subgroup C and increased percentage of menstrual disorders in patients with high stromal density in relation to those with normal echogeneity of stroma) it can be concluded that there is a correlation between ultrasonographic findings of ovaries (number of microcysts, volume and density of the stroma) and menstrual cycle disorders, the polycystic ovary syndrome.