TY - JOUR
T1 - Anogenital distance and Gynaecological diseases
T2 - A narrative review
AU - Buggio, Laura
AU - Barbara, G.
AU - Dridi, D.
AU - Ottolini, F.
AU - Sergenti, G.
AU - Facchin, F.
AU - Vercellini, P.
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Anogenital distance (AGD) (i.e. the distance measured from the anus to the genital tubercle) is an androgen-dependent, dimorphic feature, which is dependent on the in-utero hormonal environment. Human studies have shown alterations in the AGD associated with reproductive health in adult individuals, both males and females. In particular, recent studies have investigated whether differences in AGD length could be associated with gynaecological diseases, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as in these conditions prenatal hormonal exposure could represent a risk factor for developing the disease later in life. In this narrative review, we aimed to review the most updated scientific evidence on the relation between AGD and the presence of endometriosis and PCOS. Studies suggest that a shorter AGD seems to be related to the presence of endometriosis, whereas a longer AGD seems to be associated with an increased risk of PCOS. In light of these findings, we discuss how AGD measurement in adult women could represent a novel, simple, and easily reproducible biomarker of endometriosis and PCOS. However, scientific evidence is limited, and further well-designed studies are needed to corroborate current findings.
AB - Anogenital distance (AGD) (i.e. the distance measured from the anus to the genital tubercle) is an androgen-dependent, dimorphic feature, which is dependent on the in-utero hormonal environment. Human studies have shown alterations in the AGD associated with reproductive health in adult individuals, both males and females. In particular, recent studies have investigated whether differences in AGD length could be associated with gynaecological diseases, such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as in these conditions prenatal hormonal exposure could represent a risk factor for developing the disease later in life. In this narrative review, we aimed to review the most updated scientific evidence on the relation between AGD and the presence of endometriosis and PCOS. Studies suggest that a shorter AGD seems to be related to the presence of endometriosis, whereas a longer AGD seems to be associated with an increased risk of PCOS. In light of these findings, we discuss how AGD measurement in adult women could represent a novel, simple, and easily reproducible biomarker of endometriosis and PCOS. However, scientific evidence is limited, and further well-designed studies are needed to corroborate current findings.
KW - AGD
KW - Anogenital distance
KW - Endometriosis
KW - PCOS
KW - Polycystic Ovary syndrome
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85092485789&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85092485789&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.36129/jog.32.03.06
DO - 10.36129/jog.32.03.06
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85092485789
VL - 32
SP - 200
EP - 207
JO - Italian Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
JF - Italian Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
SN - 1121-8339
IS - 3
ER -