Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Experts
Evidence & Translation

Developing new PCOS guidelines, translation resources, benchmarking of care, monitoring alignment with guidelines and effective evidence translation for patients, practitioners and policy makers.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is diagnosed by Rotterdam criteria as two of oligo – anovulation, hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, affects around 13% of women and is much neglected, with high consumer dissatisfaction and long diagnostic delays. Whilst we have advanced understanding and refined diagnostic criteria through research and International Polycystic Ovary Syndrome guidelines, we focus on priorities from the international Polycystic Ovary Syndrome research road map  generated with input from 3500 women and health professionals internationally, evidence synthesis (40 systematic and 20 narrative reviews) and guideline development with input across 71 countries.

Current Projects
Optimal Diagnostic Criteria – Prof Teede

Our Polycystic Ovary Syndrome research road map seeks to refine individual criteria within Rotterdam by defining normal ranges across the lifespan, exploring how diagnostic features cluster together and how diagnostic features relate to short- and long-term health outcomes.

Currently, diagnostic features are a continuum and cut offs are based on arbitrary 95th centiles in variably defined populations. Here we will conclusively address these gaps across individual diagnostic features a) oligo-anovulation b) high androgens (clinical or biochemical) and c) polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, and explore Anti Mullerian Hormone  as a potential alternative to ultrasound.

We will specifically refine diagnostic cut-offs by exploring normal ranges, clustering of features and relationship to health outcomes for Ovulation and menstrual patterns; Androgens; Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound and Anti Mullerian Hormone.

Natural History across lifespan and relatiobships of metabolic and reproductive features – Dr Joham

Prioritised gaps include understanding natural history of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome across metabolic, reproductive and psychological features, especially across key Polycystic Ovary Syndrome phenotypes1. This research scope will explore natural history of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome through integration of international cohort studies, data linkage, bio- banking, interrogation and analysis.

Updating PCOS Guidelines – Prof Teede

In 2023, the we will update our international Polycystic Ovary Syndrome guidelines specifically addressing identified gaps and new knowledge generated under the CRE-WHIRL. We will create and expand necessary data sets to complete this work. All outputs will be directly integrated into the guideline.

Student Research Projects

This team offers a variety of Honours, Masters and PhD projects for students. There are also a number of short-term research opportunities available. You are encouraged to get in touch regarding potential projects that align with the research areas mchri.awhl@monash.edu.