Polycystic ovary, microcystic and ovarian cysts: let’s clarify

Polycystic ovary (or polycystosis ovaria-PCOS) or multifollicular and finally ovarian cysts are three completely different conditions. Let’s clarify with the help of the gynecologist Dr. Tinelli

POLYCYSTIC or MICROPOLYCYSTIC OVARY

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent endocrine disorder and the leading cause of anovulatory infertility in the female population. The incidence of the disease is 7-15% of the female population of childbearing age.

It is a set of clinical, biochemical and ultrasound manifestations that have been much debated and finally elaborated by the 2003 Rotterdam Consensus Conference which defines PCOS by the presence of at least two of three criteria:

1) oligomenorrhea ; i.e. menstruation every 60-90 days and/anovulation;

2) clinical and biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism (hirsutism, i.e. the presence of hair in normally hairless, hairless regions of the body) obesity with high levels of insulin in the blood, acne and seborrhea);

3) ultrasound diagnosis of ovarian polycystosis (ovaries enlarged in volume, with a number of small follicles greater than 10 arranged in a rosary crown on the periphery with a denser, hyperechoic ovary in the center).

Therapy essentially depends on the patient’s symptoms and expectations.

MICROCYSTIC OR MULTIFOLLICULAR OVARY

The microcystic or multifollicular ovary is characterized by the ovarian presence, on transvaginal ultrasound, of follicles of different sizes, from 3 to 10-12 mm without the characteristic arrangement of PCOS. It involves healthy menstrual dysfunction and is often a sign of mild and temporary hormonal dysfunction.

OVARIAN CYSTS

Usually benign pathology on a dysfunctional basis frequently found due to an abnormal secretion of pituitary hormones. They form due to failure of a follicle to rupture and overdistension due to the accumulation of fluid inside it. It is usually associated with an alteration of the menstrual cycle. The dimensions are variable from 3 to 10 cm. Nowadays we tend not to operate – in laparoscopy – except for the cysts that give pain and are larger than 6 cm.