Polycystic ovaries and the polycystic ovary syndrome phenotype in women with active acromegaly

Summary Background Previous retrospective studies have suggested that women with acromegaly may present with menstrual irregularity and symptoms/signs of hyperandogenism, a phenotype similar to that of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Objective The aim of this study was to investigate prospectively the presence of the PCOS phenotype (PCOSP) and polycystic ovaries (PCO) on ultrasonography in women with active acromegaly. Design Women within the reproductive age range (21–43 years) with active acromegaly of recent onset and/or previous surgical and/or medical therapy were studied. Main outcome measures Subjects underwent a physical examination; fasting bloods for androgens, pituitary hormones and metabolic parameters; an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to estimate disease activity and insulin resistance; and a transvaginal ultrasound. Results Six women had newly diagnosed acromegaly, and eight still had active disease following previous surgical and/or medical treatment. Seven women were found to have PCO and six fulfilled the criteria for PCOSP; six of these women, five with PCOSP, had a pituitary macroadenoma. Women with PCOSP had significantly increased mean ovarian volumes and characteristic ovarian morphology compared to women without PCOSP (P