Infertility : A Common Endocrine System Disorder Among Women Of Reproductive Age

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder of the endocrine system that affects women. It is primarily characterized by hyperandrogenic activity, oligoovulation, and polycystic ovaries. PCOS is one of the most common endocrinopathies, affecting 6-10% of women. A woman with polycystic ovaries can develop PCOS over the time, and the disease has a strong familial link (Balen, 1999).

Imagine a syndrome that can cause you, or a woman you know, to be infertile, depressed, anxious, obese, or hirsute, along with many others. Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause all of these issues in a woman who is affected by the condition. If it is not treated properly or on time, it could lead to other serious medical issues that could even be life threatening. Polycystic ovary syndrome, otherwise known as PCOS, is not a commonly known syndrome and many women affected by it are not diagnosed or treated for it. PCOS is a major medical problem that is affecting five to ten percent of the female population in the U.S. and many more across the globe (American Diabetes Association, 2014). This syndrome must become better known in the near future so that women with PCOS can take better control and care of their own body.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is "the perfect hormonal storm." (PCOS,2016) What is PCOS? PCOS is commonly known as polycystic ovary syndrome, this is a health problem that can affect many things for women. Polycystic means cysts and can often cause clusters of small, pearl sized cysts in the ovaries. The cysts are fluid filled and contain immature eggs. Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. Infertility is one of the most common symptoms along with the menstrual cycle, hormones, heart and of course the blood vessels. “How many women have PCOS? 1 in 10 and 1 in 20 women of childbearing age have PCOS. As many as 5 million women

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous collection of signs and symptoms that together for a spectrum disorder with a mild presentation in some but a severe in others. The pathophysiology of PCOS appears to be multifactorial and polygenic. (Fox, 2011)

According to PubMed Health, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which women possess abnormally high level of male hormones. The high hormone levels lead to risks of irregular or absent menstrual cycles, insulin resistance, ovarian cysts, issues related to the circulatory system, obesity, heart disease, diabetes and etc. Symptoms differ between each woman therefore, despite research data collected showing that PCOS affects 5-10% of women between the age of 18-44, there are many women who live their lives unaware that they have PCOS. The most common symptoms include: absences of ovulation, high levels of androgen present, and abnormal hair growth. The cause of PCOS is still unknown as more research is much-needed to better understand the disorder.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome also known as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, occurs in 5% to 10% of women and is one of the causes of infertility. PCOS is observed by ultrasound as a number of small cysts on a woman’s ovary, and it’s

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately seven to eight percent of women of childbearing age. While the cause of PCOS is still unknown, it is believed to be a genetic disorder. Often a mother or sister of a woman affected will exhibit symptoms similar to PCOS. Due to the change in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, during ovulation mature eggs are not released which begin to form very small cyst within or on the ovary. These cysts cause infertility. Women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome can overcome infertility through weight loss, laparoscopy (ovarian drilling), medicinal treatment or in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The condition Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is the most common of endocrine disruptions within women of reproductive ages. The disorder does affect as much as 10% of women within this reproductive lifecycle. The clinical and biochemical features of the condition are diverse and are as follows: fertility disruption, overweight/obesity, irregularities in menstruation (frequent, absent, sporadic) insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (Jeanes &Hart &Smith & Barr, 2009). The exact aetiology of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is unknown but does involve both environmental influencers and genetic factors. In summery Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition associated with metabolic dysfunction, infertility, and hyperandrogenism. Treatment for PCOS includes diet and lifestyle changes in order to promote a healthy body mass index (BMI) and further reduce hyperinsulinaemia (a symptom of the condition). Medications such as metformin/Glucophage might be utilized for management of the presenting symptoms. PCOS symptoms at present-day can only be managed and no cure for Polycystic ovary syndrome available. (Jeanes &Hart &Smith & Barr, 2009).

This paper will discuss a chronic endocrine disorder known as polycystic ovarian syndrome also known as PCOS. “This syndrome is common among women who are

Polycystic Ovarian syndrome was first characterized in the 1930’s and was called Stein Leventhal syndrome. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (pcos) starts with the appearance of many painless cysts on the ovaries. In females with polycystic ovarian syndrome the ovaries are larger than that of a non polycystic ovarian syndrome female. Pcos has various signs and symptoms which all come from an imbalance of certain hormones affecting the female reproductive system. Doctors have done various tests and studies on polycystic ovarian syndrome some say that the syndrome comes from hormonal imbalances where as some state that this disorder comes from certain genes within the family tree, as well as environmental factors. Thus far there are no direct causes; the syndrome itself has various hormones that come into play.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the most common endocrine disorder abbreviated PCOS. The medical condition was first identified by Irving Stein and Michael Leventhal in 1935. PCOS was originally called Stein-Leventhal disease. Its name was later changed to polycystic ovarian syndrome due to the common symptom of cystic ovaries present in many women with this condition. Currently, it is the most common hormonal illness in women of reproductive age.

I chose to write about PCOS because I myself suffer from this disease. PCOS is short for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. PCOS is a type of disease where your ovaries fill up with follicles filled with fluid (cyst). It causes mainly infertility and type 2 diabetes. This disease is more common in women who are in the reproductive stage. Not only can it cause the infertility and type 2 diabetes, but it can also cause an irregular menstrual cycle and can cause your body to produce more of a male hormone called androgen. Some other things it may cause is depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high blood sugar and many other health problems. The cause of this disease has not been yet identified, but it is said one of the ways could be

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects an estimated 5-10 percent of women of childbearing age and it is a leading cause of infertility. It is the most common endocrinopathy among reproductive age women and as many as 30 percent of women have some characteristics of the syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine condition arising from the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis that presents in women of reproductive ages due to factors such as obesity, excessive insulin production and genetics. This condition often present with irregular periods, excess androgen production and polycystic ovaries (enlarged ovaries that contain small amounts of fluid). Due to the increased in androgen production physical changes such as acne, excessive body and facial hair (Hirsutism) baldness, obesity and ovulation problems occurs (Legro, Arslanian, Ehrmann, Hoeger, Murad, Pasquali, & Welt, 2013). Also with PCOS there is an abnormal increase in production of insulin, which leads to even greater production of androgen (Legro

There is one dream that every little girl has when growing up, that is becoming a mother; to love and watch her children grow. No one ever dreams of that not happening to them or being part of that group being label as infertile. It happens to millions of women living in the United States every day. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the most common endocrine disease that affects women of reproductive age, which is typically puberty to menopause. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome does not only affect a woman’s ovaries and chances of conceiving, but it affects the whole endocrine system in the body. It can cause Excess Androgen Production, Insulin Resistant, Obesity, Hirsute and Cardiovascular problems.