Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an
endocrine disorder with an unknown
etiology, or cause. It is believed that
resistance to insulin is the basis of this
disorder. Insulin resistance causes
increased insulin secretion by the
pancreas. An increased amount of insulin
disturbs follicle growth in the ovaries.
Therefore, many follicles are stimulated
but none or only few reach the mature
stage and become a Graf’s follicle,
ready to ovulate. Lack of ovulation causes
irregular bleeding, amenorrhea and
sterility. Other than genital symptoms
present obesity and hair growth
(hirsutism) due to the hormonal dysbalance
are often present during PCOS.
Ovulation can be stimulated via estrogens,
FSH/LH, GnRH-analogs and
estrogen-antagonists (clomiphene). Therapy
lasts for 6 months, at least. Insulin
resistance is treated with metformin that
is given together with ovulation
stimulators. In normal occasion,s
ovulation can be predicted with an
ovulation predictor test or kit ... but in
the case of PCOS ovulation prediction
could be difficult due to the higher level
of LH present during PCOS all the time
(Ovulation predictor kits measure LH
levels as the determining factor of
ovulation). Therefore, you can try to
measure body temperature in order to
predict the date of ovulation.
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