Prevalence and hormonal profile of polycystic ovary syndrome in young Kashmiri women presenting with hirsutism: A hospital based study

Background: Hirsutism, a common clinical condition, not only causes cosmetic concern but may also be a sign of underlying disease. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an important and common cause of hirsutism. In fact, many women with PCOS present as hirsutism. This study assessed young Kashmiri women presenting as hirsutism, for ultrasonographic evidence of polycystic ovaries (PCO), in addition to recording their clinical and hormonal profile. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome using ultrasonography, in young Kashmiri women presenting as hirsutism. Method: In total, one hundred and seventy (170) consecutive young Kashmiri women presenting with chief complaint of hirsutism were assessed. A total of eighty (80) age matched non- hirsute females having normal menstrual cycles, served as controls. The ovaries were visualised by transabdominal ultrasonography (USG). The serum was analysed for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (tT), prolactin (PRL) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Result: The study showed prevalence of 61.18% PCOS in young Kashmiri women presenting as hirsutism. PCOS was diagnosed in 35.11% hirsute women with regular menses and ultrasonography was used to identify PCO in 90.35% patients. Biochemical hyperandrogenemia was present in 70.15% of the patients and the LH/FSH ratio increased in 81.73% of the patients. Conclusion: The results of this study show a high prevalence of PCOS in young Kashmiri women presenting as hirsutism and also highlights the fact that PCOS is not necessarily associated with menstrual disturbances. Therefore, all hirsute women, even with regular menses, should be evaluated for PCOS.