A 25-year-old woman presents with irregular menstrual periods, hirsutism, and obesity. She was initially thought to have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but ultrasound shows no evidence of polycystic ovaries. What could be the diagnosis?
While these symptoms might initially suggest PCOS, the absence of polycystic ovaries on ultrasound suggests a different diagnosis. This could be a condition known as idiopathic hirsutism. This is a condition characterized by excessive hair growth in women without a detectable hormonal imbalance. It could also be late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia, an inherited condition affecting the adrenal glands and hormone production. A detailed hormonal study including a 17-hydroxyprogesterone level would be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.