Secondary forms of polycystic ovary syndrome

Hyperandrogenism and chronic anovulation are the most common endocrine disorders of premenopausal women. Most patients have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is essentially benign, but might be associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity; PCOS is associated with specific endocrine and ultra-sonographic features. Some patients exhibiting similar features to PCOS might have other underlying diagnoses, such as adrenal and ovarian steroidogenic deficiencies, adrenal and ovarian androgen-secreting tumours, other medical or endocrine disorders, and/or be on medications thought to cause PCOS, such as anti-epileptics. Unlike PCOS, some of these conditions can occasionally be life threatening and require prompt diagnosis and treatment. Here, we focus on these disorders, including their pathogenesis, and attempt to define the clinical and biochemical features that distinguish them from PCOS.