Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
The leading hormonal disease and cause of infertility among women of a reproductive age is polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. An estimated 5 million to 7 million women in the United States suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome. It often goes undiagnosed because of a range of symptoms that can appear to be unrelated to the disease. PCOS occurs when levels of certain hormones are abnormal. The name polycystic ovarian syndrome is derived from the enlarged appearance of the ovaries that frequently accompany this condition.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome often occur with the first menstruation cycles of a young woman. Less commonly, it can develop in later years, often coinciding with weight gain. The symptoms vary in type and severity among individuals. However, a positive diagnosis of PCOS must identify two of three specific conditions: abnormal menstruation, elevated levels of male hormones and polycystic ovaries.
Abnormal menstruation is classified as menstrual intervals that last longer than 35 days, fewer than 8 periods a year, failure to menstruate for 4 months or longer, and extended periods that are either very light or heavy. Excess male hormone may appear as unwanted facial and body hair, acne or male pattern baldness.
The term polycystic means "many cysts". It is the clusters of cysts within the ovaries that give them their enlarged appearance. These cysts are fluid filled bubbles that are formed from eggs that are not released during ovulation because of excess male hormones. The hormonal imbalance interferes with their normal development and release of eggs, causing immature eggs to build up and the development of cysts within the ovaries.
Medical researchers are not sure of the exact causes of this endocrine dysfunction. It is suspected that genetics and excess insulin play a role in the development of PCOS.
Causes
The female reproductive system is regulated by fluctuating levels of hormones that control the growth of eggs in the ovaries as well as ovulation. The ovaries prepare the uterus to receive the released egg by secreting the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. The ovaries also normally produce a small amount of male hormones such as testosterone. Without a pregnancy, levels of estrogen and progesterone decline and the lining of the uterus is shed.
In polycystic ovarian syndrome, the ovaries secrete excess male hormones. This disrupts the normal menses and can lead to infertility and other side effects.
