The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines EDC as “an
exogenous agent that interferes with synthesis, secretion, transport, metabolism,
binding action, or elimination of natural blood-borne hormones that are present in the
body and are responsible for homeostasis, reproduction, and developmental process”.
The global production of EDCs increased 23.5 fold between 1947 and 2007. In 2012
alone, around 9.5 trillion pounds of pesticides, chemicals, drugs, and plastics were
produced. The most common contaminants are BPA(bisphenol-A), pesticides, and CPF
(chlorpyrifos). Substantial evidence from in vitro and animal studies incriminates many
of these endocrine disruptors in the induction of reproductive and metabolic aberrations
resembling PCOS characteristics. This chapter describes the differential diagnosis
strategies for the accurate identification of PCOS in these intricate scenarios.
Keywords: Adolescents, Diagnosis, Menopause, Pregnancy, PCOS.
