Polycystic Ovary Syndrome linked to infertility and heightened cardiovascular risk

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women of reproductive age, estimated to involve 8‑13% globally and millions of women in Brazil. Typical symptoms include irregular periods, acne, excess body hair, weight gain and insulin resistance, which can impede normal follicle development and lead to reduced or absent ovulation, making pregnancy difficult. Diagnosis relies on clinical evaluation, hormonal testing and pelvic ultrasound, while treatment can restore ovulation and improve fertility.

A large Lancet Obstetrics study of more than 413,000 women with PCOS compared to over two million without the condition found that PCOS patients have a 4.4‑fold increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Only about a third of this excess risk is explained by obesity, hypertension or diabetes, prompting experts to recommend cardiovascular risk assessment and lifestyle counseling at the time of PCOS diagnosis.