Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been found to affect 4–8% of women of reproductive age; however, in Mexican-Americans a prevalence of 12.8% has been reported.

The study determines the prevalence of PCOS in a sample of Mexican women. This prospective cross-sectional study included 150 female Mexican volunteers aged 20–45 years.

Menstrual cycles were recorded and hirsutism was graded. Pelvic ultrasound was performed and androgen levels were measured.

PCOS was diagnosed by hyperandrogenism and/or hyperandrogenemia, and oligo-ovulation (NIH 1990 criteria), and also by 2 of 3 findings: oligo-ovulation, clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries (PCO) (Rotterdam 2003 criteria), excluding other disorders.

Nine of the 150 women were diagnosed with PCOS, a prevalence of 6.0% (95% CI: 1.9–10.1%), according to NIH criteria. The ultrasound morphology added one patient to give ten PCOS patients, a prevalence of 6.6% (95% CI: 2.3–10.9%) according to Rotterdam criteria.

All PCOS patients presented oligo-ovulation, 9 had hirsutism and 7 of them had acne. Eight of the 10 PCOS patients had morphologic characteristics of PCO.

Conclusion: The prevalence of PCOS in Mexican women is approximately 6.0%, similar to other populations, but lower than 12.8% reported in Mexican-American women.