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Moreover, individuals with PCOS are at an increased risk for serious health issues, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular complications, and reproductive disorders. Menstrual irregularities, defined as having fewer than eight menstrual periods a year, often indicate oligo- or anovulation, which can greatly impair fertility. Notably, PCOS is a leading cause of infertility, accounting for 75% of cases linked to anovulatory infertility.
Diagnostic Criteria
Diagnosis of PCOS typically follows the Rotterdam Criteria, which stipulate that two out of three characteristics must be present for adults and all three must be evident in teenagers. These criteria include:
- Hyperandrogenism: Either clinical indications or biochemical evidence of elevated androgen levels.