POLYCYSTIC OVARIES IN PRE AND POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

OBJECTIVE Polycystic ovaries have been diagnosed in more than 20% of p remenopausal women using ultrasound. The aim of this study was to dete rmine whether polycystic ovaries exist in post-menopausal women. DESIG N Two groups of women were studied; group 1 consisted of 18 post-menop ausal volunteers and group 2 comprised 142 women, 94 of whom were post menopausal who had recently undergone coronary angiography. MEASUREMEN TS Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound scans were performed and measurements made of uterine area, endometrial thickness and ovarian volume. The morphological appearance of the ovaries was also noted. Pa sting blood samples were taken. Medical and menstrual questionnaires w ere completed. RESULTS Polycystic ovaries were found in 8/18 (44%) of group 1 and 60/142 (42%) in group 2. Polycystic ovaries were detected in 35/94 (37%) of the post-menopausal women in group 2. Post-menopausa l women with polycystic ovaries had larger ovaries containing more fol licles compared with post-menopausal women with normal ovaries. Post-m enopausal women with polycystic ovaries had higher serum concentration s of testosterone and triglycerides than had post-menopausal women wit h normal ovaries. CONCLUSIONS Polycystic ovaries can be detected in po st-menopausal women and have some of the same endocrine abnormalities which are evident in premenopausal women with polycystic ovaries, that is, raised serum concentrations of testosterone and triglycerides.