From inflammation to ovulation: Rethinking PCOS pathophysiology

Polycystic-Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinological disorder in women belonging to active reproductive age, marked by hyperandrogenism, recurrent anovulation, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Recent findings indicate a substantial correlation between PCOS and persistent low-grade systemic inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-α), and several adipokines having prominent role as inflammatory biomarkers. As of 2025 WHO statistics and factsheets, approximately 6-13% of women are experiencing this disorder worldwide with a prevalence of 3.7-22.5% in India. Approximately 70% of the suffering population goes undiagnosed. The bidirectional association between inflammation and PCOS suggests that inflammation may serve as both a result and a contributor to the syndrome's clinical manifestations. Comprehending the inflammatory mechanisms of PCOS may facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at inflammatory pathways to regulate and alleviate the symptoms.