Women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) could obtain a speedier diagnosis, and a more comprehensive management plan, under new guidelines proposed by Australian researchers.
An Australian-led international collaboration has overhauled current recommendations that rely on outdated information to diagnose and treat PCOS, which affects at least eight to 14 per cent of reproductive aged women, researchers say.
A report, published in the Medical Journal of Australia, outlines changes to the way PCOS is diagnosed and managed by GPs, including a greater emphasis on the psychological and lifestyle effects of the condition.
Professor Helena Teede, who led the research, says women haven't been getting the right information and care for all features of the condition, with a disproportionate focus on infertility.
PCOS is an endocrine disorder underpinned by insulin resistance and greater levels of male sex hormones, medically known as hyperandrogenism.
"It's not just about irregular menstrual cycles and taking the pill," said Prof Teede, who heads the Centre for Research and Excellence in PCOS at Monash and Adelaide universities.
"She typically lives her life, usually putting on weight, comes off the pill in the late 20s or early 30s, at that time discovering she has the condition."
Women who are diagnosed later face greater mental health and fertility challenges, alongside difficulties associated with age and weight.
"We deprive them of those opportunities to address issues if we don't diagnose them," Prof Teede told AAP.
"They can look at prevention of weight gain, which is so much easier than treatment of established weight gain."
A summarised version of the guidelines, published on Monday, has the aim of making information easily accessible to both women and GPs - it includes fact sheets, infographics and videos.
An app, called Ask PCOS, has also been launched on iTunes and will be released on androids in coming weeks.
"Most of what's provided online at the moment is not good quality, they promote products and diets which are not evidence based," Prof Teede said.
The main changes proposed include the elimination of an ultrasound for diagnosis when the combination of ovulatory dysfunction and hyperandrogenism is present in adult women.
The guidelines also recommend letrozole as the first line treatment for infertility as it improves live birth rates while reducing multiple pregnancies, compared with currently used clomiphene citrate medication.
Resources for doctors and women can be found at www.monash.edu/medicine/sphpm/mchri/pcos
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