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Seasonality, climatic unpredictability, food deprivation and polycystic ovary syndrome

Shaw, L.; Elton, S.

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Authors

L. Shaw



Contributors

P. O’Higgins
Editor

Abstract

Stein and Leventhal’s finding of polycystic ovaries, which they eponymously described as part of a circumscribed clinical syndrome [1], has evolved to become a nebulous entity with polycystic ovaries as a prominent component. Biochemical aspects, both endocrine and non-endocrine, have become part of a wider “polycystic ovary syndrome” (PCOS), recognised as a very common cause of anovulatory infertility [2 – 4]. Whilst the original Stein-Leventhal Syndrome described multiple ovarian cysts, obesity, hirsutism, menstrual abnormalities and amenorrhoea, symptoms of PCOS also include acne and androgenic alopecia. Obesity, when it occurs, tends to include centrally-distributed adipose tissue. These features, singly or together, are not evident in all affected women [5]. Despite this, most show a degree of insulin resistance [6]. PCOS is thus a complex endocrine disorder, for which the diagnosis is not always straightforward [6, 7]. However, many practitioners now agree that it can be defined on the basis of at least two of the following features in combination: presence of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound examination; oligo-/anovulation; clinical or biochemical evidence of androgen excess [5].

Citation

Shaw, L., & Elton, S. (2008). Seasonality, climatic unpredictability, food deprivation and polycystic ovary syndrome. In S. Elton, & P. O’Higgins (Eds.), Medicine and evolution : current applications, future prospects (77-97). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420051377.ch5

Publication Date 2008
Deposit Date May 20, 2013
Publicly Available Date Mar 1, 2016
Pages 77-97
Series Title Society for the study of human biology series
Book Title Medicine and evolution : current applications, future prospects.
ISBN 9781420051346
DOI https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420051377.ch5

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