El ovario poliquístico y las enfermedades dermatológicas

Resum

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multisystemic disease. Oligo-anovulation and hyperandrogenism are the most important features of this syndrome. Diagnosis of PCOS is made according to the Rotterdam criteria, and the syndrome affects between 6.5 and 8 % of the female population. Pathogenically, PCOS patients show an increased luteinizing hormone secretion, that generates an increased secretion of androgens, and a hyperinsulinemic state, that also contributes to this hyperandrogenism by increasing the androgen secretion and diminishing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Dermatologic problems that occur frequently in PCOS patients include hirsutism, acne, alopecia and acanthosis nigricans. Treatment of dermatologic symptoms of PCOS include hormonal contraceptives and antiandrogenic drugs, that have shown an improvement in hirsutism and acne. Local therapies like depilation are also useful to treat some of the symptoms. Alopecia can be treated with minoxidil 2 or 5 % or finasteride. Lifestyle changes are recom- mended in this group of patients, especially in obese or overweight patients.