THE PREVALENCE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF HYPERANDROGENISM IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, and is characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo/anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. The present study aimed to determine the effects of body mass index and age on serum testosterone levels in women with PCOS. Materials & Methods: This comparative observational study was conducted at Alshaheed Fayroz Hospital, Wasit, Iraq, between February 2022 and April 2022. In total, 30 infertile women diagnosed with PCOS and a control group consisting of 10 healthy fertile women were selected using convenience sampling. Blood samples were collected to measure testosterone levels using enzyme-linked fluorescence assay (ELFA). BMI was calculated and the effects of BMI and age on testosterone levels were analyzed. Results: Women with PCOS exhibited significantly higher testosterone levels (39.52 +/- 1.89 ng/dl) compared to controls (16.51 +/- 1.18 ng/dl). Elevated testosterone levels were observed in obese and overweight PCOS patients (42.49 +/- 4.14 and 40.87 +/- 1.76 ng/dl, respectively) compared to normal and underweight controls. Additionally, PCOS patients aged over 30 years showed higher testosterone levels (43.74 +/- 2.41 ng/dl) than those under 30 years (36.72 +/- 2.54 ng/dl). Conclusion: This study underscores the significant role of BMI and age in influencing testosterone levels in women with PCOS, highlighting the need fortargeted interventions addressing weight management and hormonal regulation.