Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common chronic endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Depending on the definitions used for diagnosis, the prevalence of the condition is estimated to be between 4% and 25%. The two main sets of symptoms typically associated with PCOS are disruption to fertility resulting from irregular menses (oligomenorrhoea) or absence of menstruation (anovulation) and clinical signs of hyperandrogenism (including hirsutism, acne and alopecia). There may be secondary metabolic problems related to obesity and insulin resistance. This combination of outwardly visible and reproduction-inhibiting symptoms makes PCOS a particular distressing disorder suffered by a large number of women. For example, acne and hirsutism have been identified as major causes of social and emotional stress and psychological morbidity. Irregular menses and infertility issues have been suggested to cause tensions within the family, altered self-perception, impaired sexual functioning and problems in the workplace.

As there is currently no cure, the management of PCOS is directed towards improving the woman's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by means of alleviation of symptoms and prevention of long-term complications. From patients’ own perceptions, HRQoL provides the metric through which effectiveness of management of the disorder is assessed, rather than assessment of clinical efficacy. Given the nature of the condition, it is perhaps not surprising that in recent years there has been a growing interest in the impact of PCOS on the HRQoL of women with the condition.