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Chapter 17 - Mood Disorders in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 May 2022

By
Anuja Dokras
Edited by
Gabor T. Kovacs ,
Bart Fauser  and
Richard S. Legro
Gabor T. Kovacs
Affiliation:
Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Bart Fauser
Affiliation:
University Medical Center, Utrecht, Netherlands
Richard S. Legro
Affiliation:
Penn State Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
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Summary

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with a high prevalence of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety and eating disorders. There are numerous clinic-based and population studies from around the world showing a high prevalence of both depressive symptoms and depression in reproductive-age women with PCOS compared to controls. These studies indicate that the risk of depression may be independent of obesity and associated with clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism, with genetic data supporting closely linked biological pathways. Similarly, the risk of anxiety is significantly higher in women with PCOS as compared to a control population. Longitudinal studies depicted a persistence of both depression and anxiety symptoms in women with PCOS over time. First-line treatments for PCOS, including weight-loss interventions and use of hormonal contraceptives, may improve depression and anxiety scores. Recent publications indicate an increased risk of disordered eating and eating disorders in women with PCOS. Given that lifestyle modifications are a first-line treatment for PCOS, early screening and treatment of depression, anxiety and disordered eating are essential for comprehensive management of this population.

Keywords

anxietydepressionbody imageeating disorderdisordered eatingobesityhyperandrogenism
Type
Chapter
Information
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , pp. 162 - 169
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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