Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (487 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A complex disorder characterized by infertility, hirsutism; obesity; and various menstrual disturbances such as oligomenorrhea; amenorrhea; anovulation. Polycystic ovary syndrome is usually associated with bilateral enlarged ovaries studded with atretic follicles, not with cysts. The term, polycystic ovary, is misleading.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Ovary Syndrome, Polycystic; Syndrome, Polycystic Ovary; Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome; Ovarian Syndrome, Polycystic; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 1; Sclerocystic Ovarian Degeneration; Ovarian Degeneration, Sclerocystic; Sclerocystic Ovary Syndrome.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Ovarian Cysts
- See also
- Hyperandrogenism
Related concepts
- Hirsutism
- Obesity
- Oligomenorrhea
- Amenorrhea
- Anovulation
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 21,930 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 7,473 of them (34.1%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2020 onward with 7,473 records.
Reviews account for 4,708 records (21.5%) and meta-analyses for 874. Randomized controlled trials number 1,280 (5.8%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 3,807 |
| 2000-2009 | 3,951 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,699 |
| 2020 onward | 7,473 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 4,708 | 21.5% |
| Meta-analyses | 874 | 4.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 1,280 | 5.8% |
Method: PubMed query "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in cancer and oncology
Cancer research spans very different kinds of evidence. Laboratory studies in cell lines and animal models reveal mechanisms but often do not translate to patients. Early-phase trials mainly test safety and dosing, while phase 3 randomized trials and their meta-analyses are the usual basis for treatment conclusions. Outcomes also differ in meaning: tumour shrinkage, progression-free survival and overall survival are not interchangeable, and screening studies can be distorted by lead-time and overdiagnosis. When reading a result, check the cancer type and stage studied, the comparison treatment, and which outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genomic analyses implicate hormonal and metabolic dysregulation in polycystic ovary syndrome | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 5 | cc by PMID 42026183 · DOI · PMC13175888 |
| The Role and Mechanisms of miRNAs on Ovarian Granulosa Cells: A Literature Review | 2026 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 5 | cc by PMID 41751505 · DOI · PMC12940779 |
| Natural Products in the Metabolic and Endocrine Modulation of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Current Perspectives | 2026 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 4 | cc by PMID 41901139 · DOI · PMC13029731 |
Genomic analyses implicate hormonal and metabolic dysregulation in polycystic ovary syndrome [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its underlying features remain poorly understood.
- Closing excerpt
- We suggest that PCOS susceptibility confers balanced pleiotropic influences on fertility in women, and life-long adverse metabolic consequences in both sexes.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (152 words)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its underlying features remain poorly understood. In this genetic study (n = 544,513), we expand the number of genetic loci from 16 to 29, and additionally identify 31 associated plasma proteins. Many risk-increasing loci were associated with later age at menopause, underscoring the reproductive longevity related to an increased oocyte number and/or availability across the lifespan. Hormonal regulation in the etiology of this condition, through metabolic and reproductive features, was emphasized. The proteomic analysis highlighted metabolic biology known to be related to PCOS. A polygenic risk score (PRS) was associated with adverse cardiometabolic outcomes, with differing relevance of testosterone and body mass index in women and men. Finally, while oligo-anovulation and anovulatory infertility are features of PCOS, we observed no impact of PCOS susceptibility on childlessness. We suggest that PCOS susceptibility confers balanced pleiotropic influences on fertility in women, and life-long adverse metabolic consequences in both sexes.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42026183 · DOI · PMC13175888
The Role and Mechanisms of miRNAs on Ovarian Granulosa Cells: A Literature Review [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Background: Ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) play a pivotal role in folliculogenesis, and their dysfunction is central to disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and premature ovarian failure (POF).
- Closing excerpt
- Future clinical translation requires rigorous validation in human-relevant models.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (165 words)
Background: Ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) play a pivotal role in folliculogenesis, and their dysfunction is central to disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and premature ovarian failure (POF). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as crucial post-transcriptional regulators of GC homeostasis. Method: This review synthesizes current evidence by systematically analyzing relevant studies, integrating data from in vitro GC models, animal experiments, human cell lines, and clinical samples to elucidate the specific mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate GCs. Results: miRNAs precisely modulate GC proliferation, apoptosis, steroidogenesis, and oxidative stress responses by targeting key signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/AKT/mTOR, TGF-β/SMAD) and functional genes (e.g., TP53, CYP19A1). Exosomal miRNAs serve as vital mediators of communication within the follicular microenvironment. To date, nearly 200 miRNAs have been associated with PCOS. Conclusions: miRNAs constitute a decisive regulatory network governing GC fate, offering promising therapeutic targets for PCOS and POF. However, significant challenges remain, primarily miRNA pleiotropy and the lack of follicle-specific delivery systems. Future clinical translation requires rigorous validation in human-relevant models.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41751505 · DOI · PMC12940779
Natural Products in the Metabolic and Endocrine Modulation of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Current Perspectives [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder, primarily characterized by reproductive dysfunction, insulin resistance (IR), and long-term metabolic complications.
- Closing excerpt
- Preclinical and clinical evidence collectively indicates that these agents hold significant translational potential to ameliorate metabolic disturbances and improve reproductive outcomes, providing a scientific foundation for future integrated intervention strategies in PCOS.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (170 words)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder, primarily characterized by reproductive dysfunction, insulin resistance (IR), and long-term metabolic complications. Current first-line pharmacological treatments, including oral contraceptives, anti-androgens, and insulin sensitizers, can alleviate clinical symptoms but often fail to fully address the underlying pathophysiology, and their long-term use is frequently limited by adverse effects. Natural products, owing to their multi-target regulatory properties and favorable safety profiles, have emerged a promising adjuvant therapeutic strategy. This review systematically summarizes how natural products exert beneficial effects through mechanisms such as improving metabolic homeostasis by enhancing insulin sensitivity and mitigating oxidative stress and chronic inflammation; restoring endocrine balance by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis to reduce hyperandrogenemia and promote ovulation; and utilizing emerging pathways including regulating gut microbiota homeostasis and epigenetic modifications as a novel avenue for PCOS drug development. Preclinical and clinical evidence collectively indicates that these agents hold significant translational potential to ameliorate metabolic disturbances and improve reproductive outcomes, providing a scientific foundation for future integrated intervention strategies in PCOS.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41901139 · DOI · PMC13029731
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Long-term cardiometabolic disease risk in women with PCOS: a systematic review and meta-analysis [4]
- Research article Association of metabolic and inflammatory markers with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): an update [5]
- Research article The Role of Chronic Inflammation in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [6]
- Research article Health Care-Related Economic Burden of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the United States: Pregnancy-Related and Long-Term Health Consequences [7]
- Research article GLP-1 receptor agonists versus metformin in PCOS: a systematic review and meta-analysis [8]
- Research article Global prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in women worldwide: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis [9]
References
- Moolhuijsen LME, Zhu J, Mullin BH, Pujol-Gualdo N, Actkins KV, Mack JA, et al.. Genomic analyses implicate hormonal and metabolic dysregulation in polycystic ovary syndrome. . 2026. PMID 42026183 · DOI · PMC13175888
- Chen S, Lu J, Si Y, Chen L, Zhao Y, Niu L, et al.. The Role and Mechanisms of miRNAs on Ovarian Granulosa Cells: A Literature Review. . 2026. PMID 41751505 · DOI · PMC12940779
- Liu S, Wang R, Yu W, Shi C, Wang X, Liu A, et al.. Natural Products in the Metabolic and Endocrine Modulation of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Current Perspectives. . 2026. PMID 41901139 · DOI · PMC13029731
- Wekker V, van Dammen L, Koning A, Heida KY, Painter RC, Limpens J, et al.. Long-term cardiometabolic disease risk in women with PCOS: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2020. PMID 32995872 · DOI · PMC7600286
- Abraham Gnanadass S, Divakar Prabhu Y, Valsala Gopalakrishnan A. Association of metabolic and inflammatory markers with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): an update. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2021. PMID 33439300 · DOI
- Aboeldalyl S, James C, Seyam E, Ibrahim EM, Shawki HE, Amer S. The Role of Chronic Inflammation in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Mol Sci. 2021. PMID 33800490 · DOI · PMC7962967
- Riestenberg C, Jagasia A, Markovic D, Buyalos RP, Azziz R. Health Care-Related Economic Burden of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the United States: Pregnancy-Related and Long-Term Health Consequences. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022. PMID 34546364 · DOI
- Han Y, Li Y, He B. GLP-1 receptor agonists versus metformin in PCOS: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2019. PMID 31229399 · DOI
- Salari N, Nankali A, Ghanbari A, Jafarpour S, Ghasemi H, Dokaneheifard S, et al.. Global prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in women worldwide: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2024. PMID 38922413 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.