The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health has a range of information and resources developed specifically for health professionals concerning polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Publications directly relevant to clinical practice include: 

Evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome

Professor Helena Teede, Research Director, in an interview with Medical Observer, outlines what the guidelines aim to achieve...

The Evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome is the culmination of two years of rigorous work from the PCOS Australian Alliance of leading Australian PCOS experts from the research, clinical and community sectors, in collaboration with the national not-for-profit women's health organisation Jean Hailes. The Australian Department of Health and Ageing funded the project, which was auspiced by Jean Hailes and supported by the consumer advocacy group Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association of Australia Inc. (POSAA).

The guideline provides thirty-eight recommendations addressing four key areas:

• challenges of assessment and diagnosis
• assessment of emotional wellbeing
• lifestyle management
• fertility

Importantly, the guideline addresses the long-term complications of PCOS including increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression and anxiety.  More...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

This article, authored by Prof. Helena Teede, Dr Lisa Moran and Dr Amanda Deeks, first appeared in Australian Doctor - How to treat on 29 August 2008.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

• Prevalence and burden of disease
• Aetiology
• Clinical features
• Investigations and assessment
• Treatment
• Case Study
• References and resources

Role of lifestyle modification in PCOS

Lifestyle intervention improves insulin resistance and prevents progression to diabetes in non PCOS populations and is accepted first line intervention in PCOS. The literature in this area is summarized in this article.

Role of lifestyle modification in PCOS

PCOS, weight and diet

Being above a healthy weight is associated with an increased prevalence of a number of conditions including insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome, impaired psychosocial health, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnoea and breast and uterine cancer. Reproductive processes are also influenced by body weight and reproductive dysfunction will occur with both positive and negative extremes of body weight. This article explores issues of weight and diet in relation to PCOS.

PCOS, weight and diet

• Cause of PCOS
• Weight gain
• Weight loss
• Achieving weight loss
• Diet guidelines
• References  

Assessment and management of PCOS

Evidence based guidelines for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome, 2011 - Jean Hailes on behalf of the PCOS Australian Alliance. Read more... 

Patient information

The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health has an extensive range of patient information resources available including fact sheets, websites and books (for sale through our shop). Read more...

Reading

• Insulin sensitizers in the treatment of PCOS
• Lifestyle factors in the etiology and management of PCOS

Medical Observer:
Each month Medical Observer features an article written by Jean Hailes experts. These articles include full references. Find here a selection of articles relevant to PCOS.

The intent of Jean Hailes is to assist General Practitioners and Health Professionals - Dieticians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists - in delivering programs to support the general health status of women by addressing key issues of gender and health.

Education Kit

This Women's Health Education Resource Kit contains all the materials and resources required to deliver midlife health information sessions to women in your local community. The Kit is available free to Community Health Nurses and Health Educators in Australia only. More...

Email updates for GPs and Health Professionals

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Monthly article

The Foundation is making a series of women's health articles available to various organisations including health and community groups for non-commercial, non-profit, educational purposes only (e.g. publication in free newsletters). For more information, and to obtain a copy of these articles, go here.

Professional development

Online GP and HP education: Jean Hailes presents an interactive online professional development website Online GP & HP education that provides free access to a range of Active Learning Modules, Webcasts and other educational activities. Read more...

Publications

Jean Hailes concentrates on groundbreaking research in key areas of women's health. The Foundation's work has been published in various prestigious journals. Read more...

Content updated 7 September 2011