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Background: Studies have revealed that Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) usually begins in adolescence and it might manifest differently in different populations. The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence and clinical characteristics of PCOS in a community setting in Iran.
Methods: In a community-based cross-sectional study 401 young women aged 18-33 years selected by cluster sampling proportionate to population size. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to screen predisposing factors for PCOS based on menstrual history and clinical manifestations of hyperandrogenism.  PCOS be defined presence of least two criteria were considered diagnostic of PCOS, after exclusion of other etiologies.
Results: The overall prevalence of PCOS among young women was 19.0% (CI 95%; 15.0%, 23%). Compared with non-PCOS young women, The adjusted age OR of young women PCOS for problem in abnormal hair growth 5.07 (CI, 2.87-8.99; P< 0.0001) weight loss 4.72 (CI, 2.75-8.09; P< 0.0001), abdominal obesity was 1.83 (95% CI, 1.00 -3.11; p= 0.026), paternal alopecia was 1.760 (CI 95%, 1.03-3.02; p = 0.040), and consume pill for menstruation 18.75 (CI 95%, 6.53-53.96; p< 0.0001).  There were no significant difference between acne, increased weight, and depression with PCOS. The women with regular cycles in the absence of clinical hyperandrogenism 98.9% were confirmed as normal. While 93.9 % women with irregular cycle and clinical hyperandrogenism were confirmed to have PCOS.
Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that counseling and evaluating of the women with irregular cycle and clinical hyperandrogenism using an interviewer-administered questionnaire may be benefit for diagnosis of PCOS.
 

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Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of fertility age. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in women with and without PCOS, who referred to infertility clinic.
Methods: In this case control study, 120 women with PCOS and 120 healthy controls, who had referred to infertility clinic, were selected for the purpose of this study. Polycystic ovarian disease was diagnosed according to the Rotterdam (2003) criteria, and the prevalence of MetS was assessed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria for both groups.
Results: Women with PCOS had markedly higher prevalence of the MetS than healthy controls (29.2% and 7.5%, respectively; P<0.0001). Among risk factors of MetS, the most prevalent components were low level of HDL cholesterol (97.5%), central obesity (86.7%), and high triglyceride (77.5%). The prevalence of MetS increased with age and BMI (P<0.0001).
Conclusion: The results suggest that the MetS was more frequent in PCOs infertile women, especially in upper age groups. Thus, the screening of these patients is suggested for preventive strategies in high risk individuals.