Increased Prevalence of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) predominantly affects women, almost all of whom are pre-menopausal and obese. Menstrual irregularities are known to be common in IIH. The polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO) includes truncal obesity, menstrual irregularities, hyper-androgenism with hirsuitism, acne, and alopecia, and multiple follicular cysts. PCO is characterized by several endocrine abnormalities, including increased conversion of androstenedione to estrone by stromal cells within adipose tissue, which conceivably could elevate intracranial pressure.