A Study on the Clinical, Hormonal and Gynecological Parameters in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Variability in clinical presentation and hormonal patterns complicates timely diagnosis and assessment. This study evaluated clinical features, hormonal alterations, and gynecological ultrasound findings in affected women compared with healthy controls. Material and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore, from March to June 2025, following institutional ethical approval. A total of 104 women aged 18–45 years were enrolled, including 52 with the condition and 52 healthy controls selected through consecutive sampling. Clinical features, including menstrual irregularities, hirsutism, acne, alopecia, and body mass index, were documented. Early-cycle serum luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, estradiol, and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were measured. Transvaginal ultrasonography assessed ovarian volume and follicle count. Data were analyzed using appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Affected women had higher body mass index (26.1 ± 5.0 vs 22.5 ± 3.6 kg/m², p<0.001) and greater frequency of oligomenorrhea (55.8% vs 11.5%, p<0.001), amenorrhea (21.2% vs 1.9%, p<0.001), hirsutism (63.5% vs 11.5%, p<0.001), acne (57.7% vs 15.4%, p<0.001), and androgenic alopecia (34.6% vs 5.8%, p<0.001). Luteinizing hormone levels were significantly elevated (9.82 ± 3.15 vs 5.21 ± 2.48 IU/L, p<0.001), while follicle-stimulating hormone was lower (4.32 ± 1.04 vs 6.18 ± 1.22 IU/L, p<0.001), resulting in a higher LH:FSH ratio. Estradiol concentrations were increased (134.6 ± 32.8 vs 96.4 ± 24.2 pg/mL, p<0.001), whereas testosterone and thyroid-stimulating hormone showed no significant differences. Ultrasound revealed larger ovarian volumes and increased follicle counts bilaterally, with polycystic ovarian morphology present in 73.1% of affected women versus 9.6% of controls (p<0.001). Conclusion: Women with the condition exhibited distinct clinical, hormonal, and ultrasonographic differences from healthy controls. The combined evaluation of clinical manifestations, endocrine abnormalities, and ovarian morphology enhances diagnostic precision and supports more comprehensive assessment in routine gynecological practice.