Male Equivalent Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Hormonal, Metabolic, and Clinical Aspects

In July 2020, a study investigated the possibility of a male equivalent to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), typically a female condition. The research found that men with hormonal imbalances, specifically elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone, showed symptoms similar to PCOS, including insulin resistance, obesity, and hair loss. These men also had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome, increasing their risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Men with female relatives with PCOS, particularly those with early-onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA), showed similar hormonal, metabolic, and clinical alterations, and were at risk of developing hyperinsulinemia, insulin-resistance, dyslipidaemia, and cardiovascular diseases. The study also found reduced levels of sex hormone-binding globulin and increased free androgens in these men. Despite lower testosterone levels, the conversion of cortical androgens played a crucial role. The study concluded that more research was needed to confirm these findings and investigate a possible link among AGA, metabolic/hormonal alterations, and acne.