Do hyperandrogenic women with normal menses have polycystic ovary syndrome?

Objective: To determine the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among hyperandrogenic women who report normal menses. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Academic practice in reproductive endocrinology. Patient(s): Fifty-eight consecutively seen new patients with hyperandrogeni sm who reported normal menses. Intervention(s): Ovulatory status was assessed with timed serum progesteron e measurements. The following tests also were carried out: vaginal ultrasou nd examination; measurement of the ovarian response of 17-hydroxyprogestero ne (17-OHP) after the administration of leuprolide acetate, 1 mg SC; and de termination of fasting serum LH, FSH, E-2, 17-OHP, insulin, and androgen le vels. Main Outcome Measure(s): Determination of ovulatory status, polycystic appe arance of ovaries, and increased response of 17-OHP to leuprolide acetate. Result(s): Twelve (20.7%) of the hyperandrogenic women were anovulatory and met the usual criteria for the diagnosis of PCOS. The ovulatory patients h ad lower serum total and unbound testosterone levels. Thirty-one (53.4%) of the ovulatory women had polycystic ovaries on ultrasound examination and/o r an increased 17-OHP response to leuprolide acetate, suggesting the diagno sis of PCOS despite the presence of ovulation. Considering both the anovula tory and ovulatory patients, 74% of the hyperandrogenic women studied could have PCOS. Conclusion(s): The data suggest that most (74%) hyperandrogenic women who r eport normal menses have evidence for the diagnosis of PCOS. (Fertil Steril (R) 1999,71:319-22. (C) 1999 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine. )