Polycystic ovarian syndrome: current understanding of pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Review article is devoted to one of the most common polygenic endocrinopathies in women of reproductive age, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). We review the current criteria used to make a correct diagnosis based on four phenotypes of PCOS: Frank (phenotype A) – biochemical and/or clinical hyperandrogenism, oligo-/anovulation, polycystic ovarian morphology according to ultrasound; anovulatory (phenotype B) – oligo-/anovulation, biochemical and/or clinical hyperandrogenism; ovulatory (phenotype C) – biochemical and/or clinical hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovarian morphology according to ultrasound; non-androgenic (phenotype D) – oligo-/anovulation, polycystic ovarian morphology according to ultrasound. This article presents the main theories of PCOS pathogenesis: peripheral, central, insulin, genetic, and also considers epigenetic factors. PCOS is a multifactorial disease in which genes are responsible for the mechanisms of the process, and environmental factors through epigenetics affect the genetic material. PCOS phenotypes play an important role in clinical practice, as they allow an individualised approach to the selection of therapy in each case, taking into account the pathogenesis of the disease and predicting its course in the future. The main therapeutic options for treating patients with PCOS, taking into account the multifactorial nature of the disease and the patient's interest in pregnancy, are reviewed. The article presents modern methods for the correction of hyperandrogenism and anovulation, with special emphasis on the need for progesterone therapy.