Current Concepts of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

    June 1997 in “ Baillière's clinical obstetrics and gynaecology ”
    Robert L. Rosenfield
    TLDR PCOS is often caused by hormonal imbalances that can lead to various health issues and may indicate a risk for future metabolic and cardiovascular problems.
    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by unexplained hyperandrogenism, with symptoms including skin issues, lack of ovulation, and obesity. The document from 1997 describes that most cases of PCOS with the full Stein-Leventhal syndrome are due to functional ovarian hyperandrogenism (FOH), which is often associated with abnormal regulation of ovarian androgen secretion, typically due to a failure in the mechanisms that prevent excessive estrogen production. Functional adrenal hyperandrogenism (FAH) is also common in PCOS but less associated with anovulatory symptoms. Insulin resistance is frequently observed in PCOS, with resulting hyperinsulinemia potentially causing dysregulation of androgen secretion, either due to genetic predispositions or obesity. The document suggests that PCOS may be an early indicator of a condition that could lead to cardiovascular and metabolic issues later in life, and that some PCOS patients may also have beta-cell secretory dysfunction, linking the disorder to non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The underlying genetic causes of PCOS were not yet understood at the time of the document.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    1 / 1 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 20 results

      community How does hair loss and recovery work?

      in Chat  12 upvotes 1 year ago
      Hair loss varies due to genetic sensitivity to DHT and other factors. Treatments discussed include finasteride, minoxidil, RU58841, and microneedling.

      community Sugar and Hair loss connections

      in Research/Science  41 upvotes 4 months ago
      High sugar diets may worsen hair loss by increasing 5α-reductase activity and androgen levels, especially in women with PCOS. A low sugar diet might reduce scalp DHT levels, similar to finasteride, but genetics also significantly influence hair loss.

      community C’est terrible - at my wits end

      in Female  450 upvotes 1 year ago
      A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.

      community PCOS Hair Loss: What’s Helped Me (and What Didn’t)

      in Treatment  9 upvotes 1 month ago
      OP shares their experience with PCOS-related hair loss, highlighting that addressing vitamin D and ferritin deficiencies, managing hormones with spironolactone, and using gentle hair care products helped improve their condition. They advise against relying on "miracle" hair oils and emphasize the importance of medical evaluation and a combined approach to treatment.

    Similar Research

    5 / 1000+ results