Polycystic ovary disease
Polycystic ovary disease Definition Polycystic ovary disease is characterized by enlarged ovaries with multiple small cysts, an abnormally high number of follicles at various states of maturation, and a thick, scarred capsule surrounding each ovary. The syndrome was originally reported by Stein and Leventhal in 1935 when they described a group of women with amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period), infertility, hirsutism (unwanted hair growth in women), and enlarged polycystic ovaries. Today, it is known that those with polycystic ovaries may have some, but not necessarily all, of the "classic" symptoms included in Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Alternative Names Polycystic ovaries; Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); Stein-Leventhal syndrome; Polyfollicular ovarian disease. Causes Polycystic ovary disease is an endocrine disorder, which means normal hormone cycles are interrupted. Hormones direct many functions throughout the body. For example, hormones regulate reproductive functions, including the normal development of eggs in the ovaries. It is not completely understood why or how hormone cycles are interrupted, although there are several working theories. In polycystic ovary disease, under-developed follicles accumulate in the ovaries. Follicles are sacs within the ovaries that contain eggs. The eggs in these follicles do not mature and, therefore, cannot be released from the ovaries. Instead, they accumulate as cysts in the ovary. This can contribute to infertility. The lack of follicle maturation and the inability to ovulate are likely caused by low levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ,and higher-than-normal levels of androgens (male hormones), produced in the ovary. Insulin resistance also seems to be a key feature in polycystic ovarian syndrome. In addition to other hormones, insulin helps regulate ovarian function. When someone is insulin resistant, this means that cells throughout the body do not readily respond to the insulin circulating in the blood. For this reason, the amount of insulin remains high in the blood (hyperinsulinemia). High levels of insulin can contribute to lack of ovulation, high androgen levels, infertility, and early pregnancy loss. Polycystic ovaries are two to five times larger than normal ovaries, and they have a white, thick, tough outer covering. Women are usually diagnosed when in their 20s or 30s. Many women with polycystic ovary disease have irregular periods and may have very little menstruation (oligomenorrhea) or no period at all (amenorrhea). Women diagnosed with this disorder frequently have a mother or sister with similar symptoms commonly associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Conception is often possible with proper surgical or medical treatments. Following conception, pregnancy is usually uneventful. Review Date: 5/12/2006 Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2006A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. adam.com
Polycystic ovary disease Definition Polycystic ovary disease is characterized by enlarged ovaries with multiple small cysts, an abnormally high number of follicles at various states of maturation, and a thick, scarred capsule surrounding each ovary. The syndrome was originally reported by Stein and Leventhal in 1935 when they described a group of women with amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period), infertility, hirsutism (unwanted hair growth in women), and enlarged polycystic ovaries. Today, it is known that those with polycystic ovaries may have some, but not necessarily all, of the "classic" symptoms included in Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Alternative Names Polycystic ovaries; Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); Stein-Leventhal syndrome; Polyfollicular ovarian disease. Causes Polycystic ovary disease is an endocrine disorder, which means normal hormone cycles are interrupted. Hormones direct many functions throughout the body. For example, hormones regulate reproductive functions, including the normal development of eggs in the ovaries. It is not completely understood why or how hormone cycles are interrupted, although there are several working theories. In polycystic ovary disease, under-developed follicles accumulate in the ovaries. Follicles are sacs within the ovaries that contain eggs. The eggs in these follicles do not mature and, therefore, cannot be released from the ovaries. Instead, they accumulate as cysts in the ovary. This can contribute to infertility. The lack of follicle maturation and the inability to ovulate are likely caused by low levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ,and higher-than-normal levels of androgens (male hormones), produced in the ovary. Insulin resistance also seems to be a key feature in polycystic ovarian syndrome. In addition to other hormones, insulin helps regulate ovarian function. When someone is insulin resistant, this means that cells throughout the body do not readily respond to the insulin circulating in the blood. For this reason, the amount of insulin remains high in the blood (hyperinsulinemia). High levels of insulin can contribute to lack of ovulation, high androgen levels, infertility, and early pregnancy loss. Polycystic ovaries are two to five times larger than normal ovaries, and they have a white, thick, tough outer covering. Women are usually diagnosed when in their 20s or 30s. Many women with polycystic ovary disease have irregular periods and may have very little menstruation (oligomenorrhea) or no period at all (amenorrhea). Women diagnosed with this disorder frequently have a mother or sister with similar symptoms commonly associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Conception is often possible with proper surgical or medical treatments. Following conception, pregnancy is usually uneventful. Review Date: 5/12/2006 Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2006A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. adam.com