Polycystic ovaries: do these represent a specific endocrinopathy?

Article Abstract:

Polycystic ovarian disease (PCO) is a condition that is characterized by enlarged ovaries and little or no menstruation (oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea, respectively). It is not uncommon for women with PCO to be obese or to have excess body and facial hair (hirsutism). PCO can be difficult to diagnose because there are other conditions, such as ovarian tumor, nutritional obesity, and adrenal gland deficiencies that can produce the same symptoms. It has been reported that women with PCO have higher than normal blood levels of testosterone (a male hormone) and a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). This article describes the results of a study designed to investigate the hormonal changes that occur in 40 women with PCO. Twenty-five of the women had oligomenorrhea and 15 had amenorrhea. Twenty-seven of the women had signs of hirsutism and 13 did not. When the women with oligomenorrhea were compared with those with amenorrhea, there were no differences in body weight or blood levels of LH, testosterone, or insulin (a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels). Blood levels of testosterone were the highest in the women with the most severe hirsutism. In contrast to previous studies, the women with hirsutism did not have higher blood levels of insulin than those without hirsutism. Also, there was no relationship between blood levels of hormones (testosterone, insulin, or LH) and patient age, body weight, or duration of symptoms. It is concluded that PCO is likely to be associated with several different hormonal abnormalities rather than a single abnormality. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Study and teaching, Endocrine gynecology

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Association between polycystic ovaries and extent of coronary artery disease in women having cardiac catheterization

Article Abstract:

Women with extensive coronary artery disease appear to be more likely to have multiple ovary cysts. One hundred forty-three women undergoing diagnostic tests for coronary artery disease were also evaluated for the presence of ovary cysts. Forty-two percent of these women had multiple ovary cysts. Women with cysts had more extensive coronary artery disease, lower high-density cholesterol levels, higher triglyceride and testosterone levels, and were more likely to have had a hysterectomy themselves or heart disease in their family.

Diagnosis, Coronary heart disease, Stein-Leventhal syndrome, Polycystic ovary syndrome

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