Correlation Between Athlete Status and Clinical Features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Collegiate Females

TL;DR

This study found that collegiate female athletes are less likely to have PCOS symptoms like hyperandrogenism and menstrual irregularity compared to non-athletes.

Contribution

The study is the first to correlate collegiate athlete status with reduced PCOS symptoms in young women.

Findings

Athletes were less likely to report hyperandrogenism, menstrual irregularity, and PCOS diagnosis.

No significant correlation was found between athlete status and acne, hirsutism, or special diet.

BMI showed positive correlations with menstrual irregularity and PCOS diagnosis.

Abstract

Background

This study examined the correlation between athlete status and clinical features of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in collegiate females between the ages of 18 and 22.

Methods

This was an anonymous, online survey-based correlational study. Survey invitations were emailed to athletic directors and science department chairpersons at colleges and universities in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey for distribution to students. Survey items asked about respondents’ general medical history, clinical signs associated with PCOS, physical activity, and diet. Correlations were analyzed using chi-square tests.

Results

Collegiate female athletes (n = 164) were less likely than non-athletes (n = 278) to report hyperandrogenism (2 (1.2%) vs. 15 (5.4%), p = 0.02742), menstrual irregularity (24 (14.6%) vs. 65 (23.4%), p = 0.02674), anti-androgen medication use (0 (0%) vs. 11 (4.0%), p = 0.008496), or PCOS diagnosis (5 (3.0%) vs. 26 (9.4%), p = 0.01218). No significant correlation was found with athlete status and acne, hirsutism, or special diet. Positive correlations of BMI with menstrual irregularity and PCOS diagnosis were consistent with previous studies. No significant correlation was found with BMI and acne, hyperandrogenism, or anti-androgen medication use.

Conclusions

There was an association between being a collegiate athlete and reduced prevalence of PCOS diagnosis, hyperandrogenism, and menstrual irregularity. Further studies are needed to determine if physical activity, at the level of a collegiate athlete, may help reduce the clinical expression of PCOS diagnostic features.