Overview
PCOS and Women's Health
PCOS is an endocrine disorder that is characterized primarily by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and the growth of cysts in the ovaries.1 Insulin resistance is also a key component of this disorder. It is estimated that around 70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance that leads to hyperinsulinemia. Accordingly, one of the long-term risks of PCOS is type 2 diabetes mellitus. Other potential comorbidities in women with PCOS include infertility, obesity, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease.1 More recent research has also highlighted the link between PCOS and an increased risk of psychological disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.2 - 4
A number of studies, including twin studies and genome-wide association studies, have clearly shown that genetic factors play a role in the development of PCOS. While many of the genes identified in these studies are known to be involved in ovarian steroidogenesis, gonadotrophic regulation, and insulin action, it is not clear how all these genes contribute to the development of PCOS. It is likely, however, that PCOS is the result of a complex interaction of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors.3
The signs and symptoms of PCOS can appear as early as adolescence, although it can be difficult to diagnose the condition in this age group because some of the features of PCOS (e.g., acne, irregular menstruation) are normal occurrences during puberty.1 While there are currently no drugs that are designed to treat PCOS, metformin has been used to manage metabolic dysfunction in women with PCOS, and certain oral contraceptives can help suppress androgen secretion and control features such as hirsutism.3
Current research on PCOS focuses on developing strategies for the long-term management of the condition and identifying better methods for screening and prevention, especially among adolescents. There is also a need to further investigate the epigenetic mechanisms that impact the development of PCOS.
NIH Research Highlight
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) supports a broad spectrum of research on PCOS. Researchers at NICHD are working to understand the genetic causes and pathophysiological mechanisms of this condition and to evaluate potential new treatments. In addition, NICHD-supported studies are looking at precursors and predictors of PCOS in adolescents to develop early detection methods.5
References
- Shukla A, Rasquin LI, Anastasopoulou C. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. StatPearls Publishing; 2025. Updated July 7, 2025. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459251/
- Xing L, Xu J, Wei Y, et al. Depression in polycystic ovary syndrome: focusing on pathogenesis and treatment. Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:1001484. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1001484. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9470949/
- Stener-Victorin E, Teede H, Norman RJ, et al. Polycystic ovary syndrome. Nat Rev Dis Primers. Apr 18 2024;10(1):27. doi:10.1038/s41572-024-00511-3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38637590/
- Dewani D, Karwade P, Mahajan KS. The invisible struggle: the psychosocial aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome. Cureus. 2023;15(12):e51321. doi:10.7759/cureus.51321. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10823298/
- NICHD PCOS research information. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Updated August 21, 2024. Accessed October 2, 2025. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pcos/researchinfo
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