Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders that is known to affect women during reproductive years. This disorder is characterized by hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, and typical morphologic changes of the ovaries (Pan, Chen, Tsao, & Chen, 2015). PCOS is estimated to have a prevalence of 5%-10% of reproductive aged women (Grossman & Porth). The symptoms that accompany this disorder include menstrual irregularity, obesity, infertility, and androgen excess. In addition to these symptoms, approximately 50% of women with PCOS have co-existing metabolic syndrome (Pan, Chen, Tsao, & Chen, 2015).
Ovarian cysts are fairly common among women of childbearing age. The most common, known as a follicular …show more content…
The cause of insulin resistance in PCOS is not fully understood, but it is a well-known link. One study hypothesized that insulin resistance is caused by excessive serine phosphorylation of insulin receptors. This is a factor that is extrinsic to insulin receptors that cause an abnormality in insulin receptor signaling. Serine phosphorylation modulates the activity of the key regulatory enzyme of androgen biosynthesis. Therefore, it is possible that a single defect may produce insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS (Dunaif, …show more content…
Infertility can be a dreadful word to hear when a couple is attempting to conceive a child. This impact cannot be easily measured, but it does take a physical and psychological toll. Women can go through numerous testing and procedures attempting to conceive. This places additional stress on patients as well as couples. Obesity is another serious impact that is associated with PCOS that affects 60% of diagnosed women. This can affect self-esteem as well as health status. Obesity can lead to many diseases such as type-two diabetes, which is already a risk factor to women with PCOS. Approximately 25%-30% of women with PCOS will show impaired glucose tolerance by the age of 30 and 8% of affected women will develop type-two diabetes annually (Daniilidis & Dinas,
Ovarian cysts are fairly common among women of childbearing age. The most common, known as a follicular …show more content…
The cause of insulin resistance in PCOS is not fully understood, but it is a well-known link. One study hypothesized that insulin resistance is caused by excessive serine phosphorylation of insulin receptors. This is a factor that is extrinsic to insulin receptors that cause an abnormality in insulin receptor signaling. Serine phosphorylation modulates the activity of the key regulatory enzyme of androgen biosynthesis. Therefore, it is possible that a single defect may produce insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS (Dunaif, …show more content…
Infertility can be a dreadful word to hear when a couple is attempting to conceive a child. This impact cannot be easily measured, but it does take a physical and psychological toll. Women can go through numerous testing and procedures attempting to conceive. This places additional stress on patients as well as couples. Obesity is another serious impact that is associated with PCOS that affects 60% of diagnosed women. This can affect self-esteem as well as health status. Obesity can lead to many diseases such as type-two diabetes, which is already a risk factor to women with PCOS. Approximately 25%-30% of women with PCOS will show impaired glucose tolerance by the age of 30 and 8% of affected women will develop type-two diabetes annually (Daniilidis & Dinas,