PCOS and Menopause.

Menopause represents a transition in ovarian hormone production that is well known with the ovary as a significant source to testosterone. It is remarkable that a ‘Medline’ Search using ‘PCOS and menopause’ done in February, 2007 revealed only 137 citations out of millions of papers. Clearly more research is needed as millions of women worldwide with PCOS enter menopause.

One study of postmenopausal women (average age 73 years) attempted to address the incidence of a history of PCOS in the past. Patients were asked to note the presence of the classic PCOS symptoms and 9.3 % were positive if they had diabetes and 5.8 % were positive in the absence of a history of diabetes. Another study of all women attending a menopause clinic found that 6.7 % had PCOS and these patients had more diabetes and abnormal lipid profiles. Other studies have shown up to 25 % of premenopausal women with Type 2 Diabetes have PCOS, so clearly the number of menopausal women with PCOS and its associated metabolic abnormalities will increase.

It is our responsibility not to stop treating the menopausal PCOS patient. We should keep our surveillance for the chronic aspects of the disease and treat appropriately.