The prevalence, phenotype and cardiometabolic risk of polycystic ovary syndrome in treatment-naïve transgender people assigned female at birth.

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and phenotypic characteristics of PCOS in testosterone treatment-naïve transgender people assigned female at birth (AFAB), as well as to determine whether cardiometabolic risk factors vary based on the presence of PCOS and its components.

METHODS

Evaluation of 112 testosterone treatment-naïve transgender adults AFAB for PCOS and its individual components, including androgen excess, ovulatory dysfunction and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM).

RESULTS

In our cohort, 79.5% of transgender individuals AFAB had at least one component of PCOS. The prevalence of PCOS was 38.4% (43/112). Phenotype C was the most common phenotype (17.8%), followed by phenotype B (10.7%). Transgender individuals AFAB with at least one component of PCOS had higher blood pressure (BP) measurements and higher fasting plasma glucose levels compared to those with none. Sixty-one subjects (54%) had hyperandrogenism (HA), with 20 (17.9%) having HA without other components of PCOS. When compared to those without HA, transgender individuals AFAB with HA had higher body mass index (BMI), BP, triglyceride and lower HDL-cholesterol levels.

CONCLUSION

PCOS and androgen excess appear to be prevalent among transgender people AFAB. Transgender individuals AFAB with HA or PCOS may exhibit an unfavorable cardiometabolic risk profile compared to those without any PCOS component. Assessment of androgen excess and the specific components of PCOS at baseline could inform long-term management.