Women With PCOS Suffer Increased Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

A new research highlights a strong association between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The U.S. National Center for Biotechnology information reveals that nearly 4-12 percent of women of reproductive age suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that is one of the leading causes of infertility among women. This condition is linked to several problems that include irregular menstrual cycle, excessive hair growth, acne and obesity among others. It is also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome.

In a new finding, a reproductive health expert from the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University, found that women with PCOS have a 5-fold increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The finding is based on the analysis of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health.

In the study, over 6000 women of ages 25-28 years were followed for nine years and this also included 500 women who were diagnosed with PCOS. The researchers noticed that the incidence of type 2 diabetes among those with PCOS was three to five times higher. They found that obesity was not a major trigger among women with PCOS.

This new study offers crucial suggestions for diabetes screening as well as care for those who are diagnosed with PCOS.

"Type 2 diabetes itself is preventable, as are diabetes complications, but only if people at risk of or who have diabetes are screened, aware and take preventative action," Professor Teede said. "With the dramatic rise in diabetes, this research highlights the need for greater awareness and screening, especially in high risk groups including young women with PCOS."

The study begin in 2003 when the women were between 25 and 30 and were followed for 9 years until they reached ages 34 to 39 in 2012.

"Our research found that there is a clear link between PCOS and diabetes. However, PCOS is not a well-recognised diabetes risk factor and many young women with the condition don't get regular diabetes screening even pre pregnancy, despite recommendations from the Australian PCOS evidence based guidelines," the researchers conclude.