Phenotypes of PCO

 

Three main polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes may be distinguished.

1)         First phenotype :-is the Classic PCOS phenotype.: This variety is the most common, including at least two-thirds of the patients, of all  PCOS with an anovulatory hyperandrogenic phenotype(A+H) . In 90% of the patients, polycystic ovaries are present(P) . Obesity is common, but the prevalence varies largely among populations.

 Diabetes, altered glucose tolerance, metabolic syndrome, and increased circulating cardiovascular risk factors are also present, but their prevalence is largely influenced by body weight.

 

3) Ovulatory PCOS  is the second phenotype.This group identifies patients presenting with hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries (H + P) but ovulatory cycles. These patients seem to present a mild form of PCOS with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia being less severe and with a lower prevalence of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors than in patients with classic PCOS.

In these patients, body weight is often normal or only slightly increased, and changes in body weight may move the patients from one hyperandrogenic phenotype to another.

3) Normoandrogenic PCOS is the third and uncommon type

 This phenotype, normoandrogenic PCOS, is present in women with chronic anovulation and polycystic ovaries but normal androgen levels. Data on this group of patients are few and more studies are needed.