The Investigation of the Correlation between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Related Factors and Sexual Orientation

• Main Authors: Ching-Hui Chen, 陳菁徽
• Other Authors: Yuan-Xiang Zhu
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/75616394562127293944

博士 === 樹德科技大學 === 人類性學研究所 === 103 === Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder, affecting 4-10% of reproductive-aged women worldwide. The clinical diagnostic criteria for PCOS include androgen excess (either clinical or biochemical), anovulation, and polycystic ovaries (PCO) as observed by ultrasound. Hence, the clinical signs and symptoms of PCOS are related to hormonal imbalances, lack of ovulation and insulin resistance, leading to consequences of: irregular or absent menstrual periods, excessive growth of body and facial hair, adult acne, PCO, metabolic syndrome, and endometrial cancer. The exact cause of PCOS is unclear; it is considered a complex genetic disease that is often associated with infertility, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer. There are a few studies that have indicated that the prevalence and features of PCOS may vary by race and sexual orientation. However, studies on the connection between the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome and sexual orientation have been the subject of relatively little health research. In this study, we aim to explore the association between sexual orientation and PCOS-related parameters. A cross-sectional study method with participants recruited from the regular outpatient clinic at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Taipei Medical University Hospital was carried out. A total of 177 patients participated in the study. We found that patients with PCOS who identified themselves as lesbians (with regard to sexual orientation) tended to possess higher body mass index (26.2±1.9 v.s. 22.5±5.2; p=0.031) and higher rate of DM family background (85.7% v.s. 64.4%) than the women in the study with PCOS that identified themselves as heterosexuals. Our data indicated that high BMI was associated with sexual orientation (as evidenced by the results of lesbian PCO women in Taiwan), and may cause women who identify themselves as lesbians to be more vulnerable to PCOS-related DM. As health risks related to hormonal imbalances may be underestimated in the homosexual population due to cultural factors, the results could help to identify a potential high risk population to PCOS, and contribute to women’s health care in the future.