Polycystic ovary syndrome: an update on diagnostic evaluation.

New guidelines regarding diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome have been published recently. The traditional way of making the diagnosis is guided by US National Health Institute. But many experts contradicted the method of diagnosis. An agreement was found on the new guidelines at a joint meeting of ESHRE and ASRM in 2004. At the same meeting new criteria for sonographic diagnosis were suggested. The new guidelines for diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome have represented a reasonable compromise between different opinions and because of it they have got a great success. During 2005 a consensus conference and a special expert committee have evaluated the new guidelines and reached some conclusion. That is likely to be published in future. The diagnostic study is not complete without an evaluation of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors. Only a better understanding of the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome can definitely establish the diagnostic criteria.