What Actually Causes PCOS? A Mechanistic Reading of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome — Selected primary research

The mechanisms described in this article are drawn from primary research published over the past two decades. Key references include: Tremellen K, Pearce K. Dysbiosis of Gut Microbiota (DOGMA): A novel theory for the development of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Med Hypotheses. 2012;79(1):104-112. Liu R, Zhang C, Shi Y, et al. Dysbiosis of Gut Microbiota Associated with Clinical Parameters in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Front Microbiol. 2017;8:324. Lindheim L, Bashir M, Münzker J, et al. Alterations in Gut Microbiome Composition and Barrier Function Are Associated with Reproductive and Metabolic Defects in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Pilot Study. PLoS One. 2017;12(1):e0168390. Zeng B, Lai Z, Sun L, et al. Structural and functional profiles of the gut microbial community in polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance (IR-PCOS): a pilot study. Res Microbiol. 2019;170(1):43-52. Unfer V, Carlomagno G, Dante G, Facchinetti F. Effects of myo-inositol in women with PCOS: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2012;28(7):509-515. Wei W, Zhao H, Wang A, et al. A clinical study on the short-term effect of berberine in comparison to metformin on the metabolic characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur J Endocrinol. 2012;166(1):99-105. Liang Y, Xu ML, Gao X, et al. Berberine ameliorates HFD-induced hepatic steatosis