Preliminary indication of a high prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in indigenous Australian women

We aimed to estimate the likely prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in indigenous Australian women in a cross-sectional survey based on structured interviews. In the Kimberley region of Western Australia and south-western Victoria, between February and June 1999, women over the age of 18 available for interview and willing to participate were included. Menstrual status, anthropometric measures, fasting blood biochemistry and hirsutism were assessed. A total of 38 premenopausal women completed the survey. Of these, 50% had regular menstrual cycles of normal duration and no hirsutism; seven had oligomenorrhea and hirsutism/hyperandrogenemia; and of the nine women with hirsutism and regular menses, three had hyperandrogenemia. Thus, possibly ten women fullfilled the criteria of PCOS. This unique data set suggests a high prevalence of PCOS in indigenous Australian women. Further research to document this formally is warranted, in view of the potential adverse effects of PCOS on reproduction and metabolism.