A new evidence‐based guideline for assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome

To the Editor: Norman and Teede outline the new international guidelines on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), led by Australia and involving 37 societies and patient support groups and 71 countries.1 These guidelines highlight gaps in evidence and emphasise the critical need for more research into PCOS.2 In the United States, a recent analysis of National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding from 2006 to 2015 for PCOS concluded that PCOS research may be underfunded by the NIH.3 In Australia, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is the premier funder of medical research and its main funding mechanism is by way of project grants, with over 500 granted annually. Using NHMRC online data (https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/grants-funding/outcomes-funding-rounds/previous-outcomes-project-grants-funding-rounds) and searching for “polycystic” or “PCOS” in the titles of funded project grants, we found only nine grants associated with PCOS from 2003 to 2018. Additionally, while there are many not‐for‐profit organisations raising funds for medical conditions, there are none for PCOS.