Polycystic ovarian syndrome: the correlation between the LH/FSH ratio and disease manifestations

Objectives: to study the correlation and association among LH / FSH ratio, BMI and clinical manifestations of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Setting: Institution of Infertility Treatment and Embryo Research.
Study design: A cross sectional descriptive study. Materials and Methods: One hundred and seven infertile women with PCOS were included according to their menstrual history (Amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea) and/or presence of hirsutism. All of them were subjected to vaginal ultrasound to confirm the presence of polycystic ovary. Body Mass Index (BMI) assessed to be included in the correlations. Blood collected twice (4-5 days interval) from each attendant to measure their serum FSH, LH & mean LH/FSH ratio obtained. The resulted data were arranged in tables and subjected for statistical study using correlation analysis.
Results: The characteristics of women recruited, showed that 59.81% of them were 25-32 years old, and 63.55% of them were over weight or obese (BMI>25). Besides the infertility, the commonest second complaint was hirsutism (64.49%) While oligomenorrhea is prevalent in 43.93%, amenorrhea in 22% and only minority (6.56%) have regular menses. The relationship between study variables as assessed by correlation analysis revealed no statistical significant correlation among LH/FSH ratio, BMI and other manifestations (hirsutism and oligomenorrhea).
Conclusion: No significant statistical correlation is found between LH/FSH ratio, BMI, menstrual pattern and hirsutism. This disproves the traditional concept about PCOS which regards that the heavier the patient is the higher the LH or the worst manifestations.