Fertility and Sterility
Volume 82, Issue 5 , Pages 1352-1357 , November 2004

Prevalence of polycystic ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome in lesbian women compared with heterosexual women

These data were selected for press media release at the European Society of Reproductive Medicine (ESHRE) meeting in Madrid, Spain, June 28–July 3, 2003, where they were also presented. The briefings are published over the Internet.

  • Rina Agrawal, M.D., Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • The London Women's Clinic and The Hallam Medical Center, London, United Kingdom
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Rina Agrawal, M.D., Ph.D., CRM, Park Lorne, 111 Park Road, London NW8 7JL, United Kingdom (FAX: 0044-20761616789
  • ,
  • S. Sharma, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • The London Women's Clinic and The Hallam Medical Center, London, United Kingdom
  • ,
  • J. Bekir, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • The London Women's Clinic and The Hallam Medical Center, London, United Kingdom
  • ,
  • G. Conway, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • University College London Medical School, The Middlesex Hospital, London, United Kingdom
  • ,
  • J. Bailey, RGN

      Affiliations

    • The London Women's Clinic and The Hallam Medical Center, London, United Kingdom
  • ,
  • A.H. Balen, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Reproductive Medicine Unit, Clarendon Wing, Leeds General InfirmaryLeeds, United Kingdom
  • ,
  • Gordana Prelevic, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • University College London Medical School, The Middlesex Hospital, London, United Kingdom

Received 26 January 2004 ,Revised 27 April 2004 ,Accepted 27 April 2004.

References 

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 Supported by HCA Laboratories, London, United Kingdom, in the form of hormone profiling on women in the study.

PII: S0015-0282(04)02227-7

doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.04.041

Fertility and Sterility
Volume 82, Issue 5 , Pages 1352-1357 , November 2004