POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME: DIVERSE CLINICAL PRESENTATIONS ACROSS ADOLESCENCE, REPRODUCTIVE AGE, AND MENOPAUSE

Abstract

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted endocrine disorder affecting women across various life stages, presenting a wide array of symptoms that differ markedly during adolescence, reproductive age, and menopause. In adolescence, the overlap of PCOS symptoms with normal pubertal changes complicates diagnosis, with common presentations including menstrual irregularities, acne, and hirsutism. During the reproductive years, PCOS is often associated with infertility, menstrual dysfunction, and metabolic complications such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In menopausal women, reproductive symptoms diminish, but the risk of cardiovascular disease, persistent hyperandrogenism, and metabolic syndrome becomes more pronounced. This review aims to define the distinct clinical presentations of PCOS across these life stages, highlighting the diagnostic and management challenges inherent to its heterogeneous nature. By understanding the age-specific manifestations and complications of PCOS, healthcare providers can develop more effective, individualized therapeutic strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.