Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Part 1

Search Health-Diet-Alternative-Medicine-Info Article Directory:

Home | Family Health

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Family Health Articles Via RSS!

By: Keith mallinson

Infertility is a common and often distressing problem affecting approximately 1 in 6 couples. Statistics confirm that the incidence of infertility is not actually increasing. More couples are, however, seeking help and advice as treatments become more readily available and effective. Having worked in the specialist area of infertility for fifteen years, I appreciate that many couples find a diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) confusing and difficult to understand. I have therefore chosen to reflect on this particular cause of infertility in order to increase my own knowledge, thus enabling me to readily supply information and advice to women and their partners.

PCOS is a highly variable and individual disorder which was first described by Drs. Stein and Leventhal in 1935. They identified a group of infertile women who had menstrual abnormalities and enlarged ovaries (now known as polycystic ovaries). They also described hirsutism and obesity amongst this group. Not all women with polycystic ovaries however, will exhibit these features. Goldzieher J. W. and Green J. A. (1962) reported that in women with surgically proven polycystic ovaries, 20% had no menstrual irregularities, 50% were not obese and 31% were not hirsute. Polson et. al. (1988) confirmed these findings and reported that polycystic ovaries are found in 22% of the normal population i.e. women who had not sought treatment for menstrual disturbances, infertility or hirsutism.

PCOS may be classified using three main criteria:

1. Clinical presentation,
2. Biochemical characterisation and
3. Characterisation of ovarian abnormalities.

It is these three criteria which are important for the diagnosis and classification of PCOS.

Most women with PCOS have a history of normal menstrual age but develop irregular cycles after the menarche. It is clear therefore that some women presenting with infertility may have had physiological difficulties in their teenage years, and may have foreseen the impact that this would have on their reproductive health in the future. Women with PCOS often have excessive hair growth and may be overweight. Yen (1980) noted that more than 80% of women with PCOS were obese prior to the onset of puberty. Although obesity is frequently associated with this condition it is unclear whether it is an intrinsic component or a predisposing state as weight loss is frequently associated with the correction of hormonal abnormalities and the re-establishment of regular ovulation.

As there is a high prevalence of PCOS in families of affected individuals, the syndrome may have a genetic component (Hauge et. al., 1988). Hypertension, diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity occur more often in families of PCOS women, whilst endocrine abnormalities and disturbed testicular function have been described in male family members. A recent study of familial PCOS has identified premature balding in male relatives as the male phenotye of PCOS (Carey et. al., 1993).

Biochemical assessment of women with PCOS will now be discussed and involves assessing hormonal levels in the blood stream. At the time of birth a woman has between 200,000 and 400,000 primordial follicles within each ovary. As a consequence of a cyclic release of hormones the menstrual cycle occurs, a primordial follicle will mature during each cycle and a mature oocyte will be released. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Leutenising hormone (LH) are Gonadotrophic hormones released by the anterior pituitary gland which act directly on the ovary. These hormones convert pre-antral follicles to antral or Graafian follicles and each one appears to exert its effects at different locations within the follicle. The granulosa cells of the follicles bind FSH whereas only the cells of the theca interna bind LH. Proliferation of the granulosa and thecal cells cause an increase in follicular size. During this phase of growth the follicle will increase its synthesis of androgens from acetate and cholesterol and this conversion is greatly stimulated by LH As the follicle continues to increase In size the synthesis of oestrogen’s increases and the largest more advanced follicle releases steroids into the circulation. These steroids feedback negatively to the pituitary and this leads to a progressive reduction in circulating FSH and therefore limits development of further follicles. Oestrogen, in conjunction with FSH plays a crucial role within the follicle towards the second phase of growth. Together they stimulate the appearance of LH binding sites on the outer layer of the granlosa cells which previously lacked them. The Graafian follicle will die unless a brief surge of high levels of gonadotrophin coincides with the appearance of these LH receptors. The surge of LH has two effects. Firstly, ovulation occurs and the oocyte is expelled from the follicle and secondly, it changes the whole endocrinology of the follicle, forming a corpus luteum after ovulation. The corpus luteum then secretes progesterone and some oestrogens which will support a developing embryo.

Article Source: http://health-diet-alternativemedicine-info.co.uk/health_articles

Carole Mallinson is a Infertility professional with over 15 years experience. Her 90 minute interview reveals all you need to know about male & female Infertility in a step by step guide

Submitted with Article Distributor.

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated

Additional Articles From - Home | Family Health

Is old age an obstruction in sex? - By : williams.mark
Reasons Why You Need To Undergo Allergy Testing - By : Amber
Caffeine An Excellent Memory Booster - By : Nikola Govorko
Why is My Hair Falling Out?! - By : Arturo R
6 Tips To Take Care Of Your Hair - By : Nishanth Reddy
Cold Sore Treatment – Are Over-The-Counter Medications Any Good? - By : Davion W
All About Tummy Tuck Surgery - By : Arturo R
Cold Sore Treatment – 10 Best Tips - By : Davion W
The Purpose Of A Medical Power Of Attorney Form - By : David F.
Your Press the Rewind Button on Hair Loss - By : Steve Goltiao

Sitemap
Sign Up for a free account or learn more.
Natural Remedy Resources!
Health-Diet-Alternative-Medicine-Info

Submit Articles
Member Login
Top Authors
Most Popular Articles
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds

A Viable Pay Per Click Alternative
Have you looked at the Pay-Per-Click prices these days? Ouch!

Free Targeted Ad Exchange Alternative
This is a high quality network that works much like AdWords and AdSense (only it's a lot easier).

Traffic Driving Program
We take the traffic building features of a banner exchange and the ease of text and put them together.

Top 10 Articles:

Herbs as medicines [173 reads]
Choosing a Health Insurance Company Online [148 reads]
Diabetes & The Foot [131 reads]
Be Nutrition Savvy: Seven Simple Ways to Eat Healthy (with Strawberry Orange Sorbet recipe) [124 reads]
Heart Disease [111 reads]
Vitamin supplements have been increasing in popularity and availability over the past 30 years. [95 reads]
Dentist trivia throughout the ages [93 reads]
Core Training [91 reads]
Laser Hair Removal - Is it Right For You? [86 reads]
Weight Loss Tip 5: Trim Down Your Waist to Avoid Heart Attack [79 reads]

Get a copy of this script for your Dashboard directory.

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

Niche Article Generator
Instantly Creates Attention Grabbing And Profit Producing Niche Articles In Minutes And With Little To No Effort..
CLICK HERE TO GET NICHE ARTICLE GENERATOR TODAY!

Download your own article directory for FREE today!

Partners Article Directories
Health E-Books Store Restocking
About Us
Site Blog
Health Forum
Health Links/Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service