Polycystic ovary syndrome: A metabolic disorder with therapeutic opportunities

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by intertwined reproductive and metabolic abnormalities. While its causal origins remain incompletely understood, accumulating evidence suggests metabolic dysfunctions—manifested by insulin resistance, obesity, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia—as key contributors to the pathogenesis and progression of PCOS. Emerging interventions targeting these metabolic disturbances, including caloric restriction, GLP-1-based therapies, and bariatric surgery, have shown efficacy in alleviating PCOS symptoms and potentially blocking their inheritance. By addressing the metabolic roots and therapeutic opportunities in PCOS, this perspective highlights a critical shift in fundamentally recognizing PCOS as a metabolic disorder. The future promises more metabolic-focused research to unravel the underlying pathogenesis and develop precise, long-term strategies for managing this complex disease.