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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the leading cause of anovulatory infertility in the U.S., affects 5% to 10% of women of childbearing age. Diagnostic criteria were formulated 15 years ago without the benefit of clinical trials. Now, an international expert group has updated the criteria using accumulated evidence.
According to the consensus group's report, PCOS can be diagnosed when two of the following three criteria are present (and other etiologies -- congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen-secreting tumors, Cushing syndrome -- are excluded):
oligo- or anovulation;
biochemical or clinical signs of hyperandrogenism (e.g., acne, hirsutism, and centripetal obesity); and
polycystic ovaries documented on (preferably vaginal) ultrasound (i.e., 1…