Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India
Published in: The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India 2/2016

01-04-2016 | Invited Mini Review

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Is It Time to Rename PCOS to HA-PODS?

Author: Suvarna Satish Khadilkar

Published in: The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India | Issue 2/2016

Login to get access

Abstract

The term polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) came into existence 80 years ago. Pathophysiology of PCOS remains ill understood despite extensive research in this field. It is now accepted that the manifestations of PCOS are not confined to the reproductive dysfunction, and there are endocrine–metabolic implications to PCOS with several consequences to female health. PCOS is a misnomer as ovaries do not contain epithelial cysts, but they are actually antral follicles. Moreover, the name PCOS neither reflects the hyperandrogenism which is essential for diagnosis nor the metabolic derangements. While various authors have expressed the need for change of the name, a suitable new option has not yet been established. This review aims to analyse the current understanding of pathophysiology of PCOS and addresses to the controversies associated with its diagnosis and nomenclature. The name “Hyperandrogenic Persistent Ovulatory Dysfunction Syndrome or HA-PODS” is proposed here to overcome diagnostic pitfalls of previous nomenclature. This new name will help formulate appropriate treatment and promote consistency in research as well. Further categorizations of HA-PODS are also discussed in the article.
Literature
1.
Stein I, Leventhal M. Amenorrhea associated with bilateral polycystic ovaries. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1935;29:181–5.CrossRef
2.
3.
Fritz MA, Speroff L. Clinical gynecologic endocrinology and infertility. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincot Williams and Wilkins; 2010. p. 83–103.
4.
Dewailly D, Catteau-Jonard S, Reyss AC, et al. Oligo-anovulation with polycystic ovaries (PCO) but not overt hyperandrogenism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91:3922–7.CrossRefPubMed
5.
6.
Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hum Reprod. 2004;19:41–7.CrossRef
7.
Azziz R. Controversy in clinical endocrinology: diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome—the Rotterdam criteria are premature. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91:781–5.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Azziz R, Carmina E, Dewailly D, et al. The Androgen Excess and PCOS Society criteria for the polycystic ovary syndrome: the complete task force report. Fertil Steril. 2009;91:456–88.
9.
Essah PA, Wickham EP III, Nunley JR, et al. Dermatology of androgen-related disorders. Clin Dermatol. 2006;24(4):289–98.CrossRefPubMed
10.
Rojas J, Chávez M, Olivar L, et al. Polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance, and obesity: navigating the pathophysiologic labyrinth. Int J Reprod Med. 2014; 1–17 Article ID 719050, 17 pages. doi:10.​1155/​2014/​719050.
11.
Marcondes JAM, Hayashida SAY, Barcellos CRG, et al. Metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: prevalence, characteristics and predictors. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2007;51(6):972–9.CrossRef
12.
Baldani DP, Skrgatić L, Goldstajn MS, et al. Clinical and biochemical characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome in Croatian population. Coll Antropol. 2012;36(4):1413–8.PubMed
13.
Jedel E, Waern M, Gustafson D, et al. Anxiety and depression symptoms in women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared with controls matched for body mass index. Hum Reprod. 2010;25(2):450–6.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Ozdemir S, Ozdemir M, Orkemli H, et al. Specific dermatologic features of the polycystic ovary syndrome and its association with biochemical markers of the metabolic syndrome and hyperandrogenism. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2010;89(2):199–204.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Sivayoganathan D, Maruthini D, Glanville JM, et al. Full investigation of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) presenting to four different clinical specialties reveals significant differences and undiagnosed morbidity. Hum Fertil. 2011;14(4):261–5.CrossRef
16.
Valkenburg O, Steegers-Theunissen RPM, Smedts HPM, et al. A more atherogenic serum lipoprotein profile is present in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a case–control study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93(2):470–6.CrossRefPubMed
17.
Hahn S, Tan S, Elsenbruch S, et al. Clinical and biochemical characterization of women with polycystic ovary syndrome in North Rhine-Westphalia. Horm Metab Res. 2005;37(7):438–44.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Ehrmann DA, Liljenquist DR, Kasza K, et al. Prevalence and predictors of the metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(1):48–53.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Azziz R, Woods KS, Reyna R, et al. The prevalence and features of the polycystic ovary syndrome in an unselected population. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89(6):2745–9.CrossRefPubMed
20.
Carmina E, Lobo RA. Use of fasting blood to assess the prevalence of insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2004;82(3):661–5.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Legro RS, Kunselman AR, Dodson WC, et al. Prevalence and predictors of risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective, controlled study in 254 affected women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999;84(1):165–9.PubMed
22.
Elting MW, Korsen TJM, Bezemer PD, et al. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and cardiac complaints in a follow-up study of a Dutch PCOS population. Hum Reprod. 2001;16(3):556–60.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Dokras A, Bochner M, Hollinrake E, et al. Screening women with polycystic ovary syndrome for metabolic syndrome. Obstet Gynecol. 2005;106(1):131–7.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Apridonidze T, Essah PA, Iuorno MJ, et al. Prevalence and characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005;90(4):1929–35.CrossRefPubMed
25.
Hollinrake E, Abreu A, Maifeld M, et al. Increased risk of depressive disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2007;87(6):1369–76.CrossRefPubMed
26.
Lane DE. Polycystic ovary syndrome and its differential diagnosis. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2006;61(2):125–35.CrossRefPubMed
27.
Krymskaia ML. Sclerocystic ovary syndrome: diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Akush Ginekol (Mosk). 1980;9:53–6.
28.
Karoshi M, Okolo SO. Commentary: polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD): a misnomer, looking for a new name. Int J Fertil Womens Med. 2004;49:191–2.PubMed
29.
30.
Teede H, Gibson-Helm M, Norman RJ, et al. Polycystic ovary syndrome: perceptions and attitudes of women and primary health care physicians on features of PCOS and renaming the syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99:E107–11.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Carmina E, Wong L, Chang L, et al. Endocrine abnormalities in ovulatory women with polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. Hum Reprod. 1997;12:905–9.CrossRefPubMed
32.
Carmina E, Lobo RA. Do hyperandrogenic women with normal menses have polycystic ovary syndrome? Fertil Steril. 1999;71:319–22.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Lobo RA. A disorder without identity: “HCA”, “PCO”, “PCOD”, “PCOS”, “SLS”. What are we to call it?! Fertil Steril. 1995;63:1158–60.PubMed
34.
Behera M, Price T, Walmer D. Estrogenic ovulatory dysfunction or functional female hyperandrogenism: an argument to discard the term polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2006;86:1292–5.CrossRefPubMed
35.
36.
Brower M, Brennan K, Pall M, et al. The severity of menstrual dysfunction as a predictor of insulin resistance in PCOS. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;98:E1967–71.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
37.
Ledger WL, Atkin SL, Sathyapalan T. Long-term consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome. Green-top guideline no. 33 RCOG November 2014.
Metadata
Title
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Is It Time to Rename PCOS to HA-PODS?
Author
Suvarna Satish Khadilkar
Publication date
01-04-2016
Publisher
Springer India
Published in
The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 0971-9202
Electronic ISSN: 0975-6434
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-016-0851-9

Other articles of this Issue 2/2016

The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India 2/2016 Go to the issue

Case Report

Critical Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome and Management

Case Report

Primary Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma of Uterine Cervix: A Case Report of Two Patients

Original Article

Role of Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients with Menstrual Disorders in Tertiary Care Center of Walled City of Delhi

Invited Review Article

Influenza Vaccine Requirements in Pregnant Women

Editorial

Primum Non Nocere

Case Report

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome