PCOS is partly, though not entirely, genetic. One wonders then, what about males who inherit genes related to PCOS? While there will probably be no absolute proof until the genes for PCOS have been completely identified, I think the answer is right in front of us. Those men with substantial hair loss, who are overweight on the upper part of their body and insulin resistant probably have the male equivalent of PCOS. Of course having facial and body hair is normal for men so no one pays attention. Men cannot have irregular periods but they can have the metabolic changes. I suspect that many men with adult onset diabetes actually have the equivalent of PCOS. I’ve noticed that many of the women I see at the Hormone Center of New York have a family history of diabetes, often in male relatives.
Significantly, the treatment for IR or diabetes in men is the same as that for women with PCOS – insulin sensitizers. Of course, many of the hormonal treatments I have discussed are suitable only for women.
hi
i think it's really interersting, thanks. My dad was diabetic... and both my grandmothers had 'womens' problems' (never dx in those days) but lots of af etc type of pcos problems
eva
Hi,
I found this a couple of weeks ago and found it very interesting too. I even told my parents that our whole family shows some signs of PCOS ~ all the men showed male pattern baldness <30 yrs. All 3 of my brothers had full beards by the time they were in grade 8. 2/3 have the weight in the "right" area. Only 1 has been dx'd as diabetic but the other 2 "don't go to doctors" so who knows if they do. My father also has the male pattern baldness and the weight symptom. My sister went through menopause by the age of 35~ but didn't question it because she was finished having children and was happy about it.
I recently sent my family some information about PCOS because they have always been great supports and I thought they might want to be aware of it since I have 4 nieces as well as being aware of it for friends that might have it.
The articles are here:
BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most frequent endocrinopathy in women with estimated prevalence of 5-10 %, is characterised by a hormonal and metabolic imbalance of polygene autosomal trait. The complexity of symptoms and genetic base started up the hypothesis on the existence of male equivalent of PCOS. Precocious loss of hair before 30 years of age was suggested as one of the male symptoms of this syndrome.
more...
Article Excerpt: IS THERE A MALE PCOS? 
My dad was diabetic... and both my grandmothers had 'womens' problems' (never dx in those days) but lots of af etc type of pcos problems
article on male PCOS possibilities 
