Endocrine Abstracts

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects about 10% of women of all ages. PCOS increases the risk of metabolic dysfunction, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Androgen excess is a cardinal feature of PCOS, driving metabolic dysfunction. The guidelines on PCOS suggest using elevated testosterone as a diagnostic criterion for PCOS. Recent evidence has implicated other androgens, including the 11-oxygenated androgens, in the diagnosis of PCOS. Furthermore, elevated androgens have been shown to correlate with the risk of metabolic dysfunction in women with PCOS. This lecture reviews the implication of androgen excess in driving metabolic dysfunction in PCOS. The lecture also discusses the use of steroid metabolomics in PCOS, which could help with risks and therapeutic stratification in women with PCOS.