Changes in individual polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypical characteristics over time: a long-term follow-up study.

Objective: To assess the effects of aging on the features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary care center.

Patient(s): Women with PCOS, diagnosed according to the 2003 Rotterdam criteria, who visited our outpatient clinic repeatedly.

Intervention(s): Comparisons were made between the first visit and consecutive visits.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Change in PCOS phenotype groups in terms of clinical and endocrine characteristics.

Result(s): A total of 596 women visited the outpatient clinic repeatedly. An estimated change per 5-year age showed a decrease in the prevalence of phenotype A and an increase in the prevalence of not having PCOS. The serum levels of testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate as well as the free androgen index decreased significantly. Clinical characteristics showed an increase in terms of body mass index and waist circumference, whereas plasma glucose levels, insulin levels, and insulin resistance did not change significantly.

Conclusion(s): The prevalence of PCOS phenotype groups changes over time. There is an important age effect that indicates a more regular menstrual cycle, decrease in the serum androgen levels, and improvement in polycystic ovarian morphology when aging occurs in women with PCOS.