Pcos Case Studies

Improved Essays
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a look into a case study
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (aka PCOS) is a disorder that is expected in patients with irregular menses, acne, seborrhea, hirsutism, infertility, and alopecia. PCOS has recently been associated with the metabolic syndrome. Patients may develop obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, liver disease, and sleep apnea. Clinical diagnosis would include hematological and radiological tests. Management would be a combined effort between a patient’s dermatologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist, and nutritionist. Long term medications and lifestyle changes are essential for a successful outcome. This case study focused on the understanding of the normal and abnormal endocrine functions
…show more content…
However, whether this change in LH secretion is due to a defect of the hypothalamus or due to external factors such as loss of negative feedback mechanism from the ovary, or increase in insulin levels, remain unresolved. Excessive secretion of LH has traditionally been considered as a hallmark of classic PCOS.

Acne vulgaris
Patients with PCOS complain of acne not responsive to the normal line of treatment. Even if responsive, lesions recur on stopping treatment, necessitating treatment with oral medication and/or hormonal therapy. An important feature seen in these patients is the development of multiple closed comedones which rapidly transform into tender, lumpy nodules, distributed in the lower half of face and jaw-line. These tend to last beyond the usual course of 5-7 days. A pre-menstrual flare is also common. Acne lesions may not only be found on the face, but may also be seen on the chest, shoulders and back.
Acanthosis nigricans
Typically, thick dark velvety skin situated on the nape of the neck, axillae, groins and other frictional areas may often be the first clue of insulin resistance.
Irregular menses and
…show more content…
It is often difficult to treat all complaints at the same time. The most difficult one is the desire to treat both an ovulatory infertility and hirsutism. Oral contraceptives are contra-indicated in infertility treatments because they block ovulation and anti-androgens in view of their potential teratogenic effects in a male fetus. Because of these conundrums in clinical care, treatment tends to fall into two categories, either the treatment of an ovulatory infertility or the long term maintenance treatment for PCOS related symptoms (i.e., hirsutism, menstrual disorders, obesity, etc.).
Long Term Maintenance of Pcos
The term maintenance acknowledges the fact that there is no known cure for PCOS. Often hirsutism, oligo menorrhea, and obesity forms the key presenting symptoms. Glucose intolerance is the strongest risk factor for diabetes and is also an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events in these women. Additional targeted therapies for hirsutism and/or oligo menorrhea could be added depending on response to the initial therapy. Contraception should be considered if the patient is trying to avoid

Related Documents

  • Great Essays

    Diseases defined by the abnormal metabolism of hemoglobin are classified as porphyrias. Porphyrias cause an abnormal buildup of porphyrin ring compounds that are essential for proper function on hemoglobin. There are multiple different classifications of porphyria, with acute intermittent porphyria being the most common. Porphyrins, the building blocks of hemoglobin, are excreted in the urine of affected people, causing extreme symptoms that range from pain to neurologic disturbances. While there are ways to treat symptoms and methods to avoid frequent attacks, there is no cure do to the foundation of the disease beginning at the genomic level.…

    • 1580 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Myths About Pcos

    • 545 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Main Content: A complex hormonal and metabolic issue known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) influences females, and leads to symptoms, such as fertility issues, weight increase, acne, excess hair on facial area and body, baldness, mood swings, skin tags, and an increased danger of diabetes. There are numerous myths related to PCOS, so it’s time debunk some of the most common ones!  Myth 1 – If You’re Overweight You Will Simply Have To Endure…

    • 545 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Pcos Case Study

    • 649 Words
    • 3 Pages

    PCOS is the most common endocrine disease affecting women. There are multiple changes that occur within the body due to PCOS. PCOS causes an increase of LH, resulting in hyperandrogenism; in PCOS FSH is decreased. The body changes that occur in females with PCOS are moon face, obesity, hirsutism, male pattern baldness, and acne. The practitioner can address these issues by screening suspected PCOS patients for diabetess, hyperlipidemia, and a glucose tolerance test.…

    • 649 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Neil Chappell Letter

    • 1344 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Dear Members of the Review Committee: I am writing this letter on behalf of Neil Chappell, MD, in order to convey my strong support of his grant proposal entitled, “Hyperandrogenemia alters ovarian mitochondrial function and subsequent oogenesis and embryo development in a PCOS mouse model.” As his mentor and principal investigator, I am committed to the development of his career, and will assist him in any way I can to ensure his success in all professional endeavors. To date, Dr. Chappell has accomplished many significant achievements, and I believe in his capacity to continue to grow as a clinician scientist to become a prestigious example in this field as a well-respected independent researcher. Dr. Chappell completed his medical school training at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and subsequently completed a four year residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During his training, he regularly received awards and recognition for his academic achievements.…

    • 1344 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Cushing’s Syndrome is an endocrine disorder caused by elevated levels of cortisol in the body. The endocrine system is made up of several different glands which produce hormones that regulate various functions of the body. The adrenal glands, located at the top of each kidney, are responsible for the production of cortisol. Cortisol is essential in the regulation of blood pressure, and cardiovascular function. Cortisol also aids the body’s stress response, and helps to metabolize proteins, carbs, and fats (Cushing’s Syndrome:Causes,n.d.,p1).…

    • 1134 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    PCOD PCOD or Polycystic Ovarian disease is a health condition in which poly or multiple cysts get formed in the ovaries. Cysts are small sacs filled with fluid. In PCOD, a woman has abnormal levels of hormones that can cause problems with menses and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOD may also cause unwanted changes to the body making the woman develop masculine features.…

    • 286 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    After visiting Texas Fertility Center in 1991, Pam learned that polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was causing their fertility struggles. According to Pam, “I was diagnosed with PCOS at 31, began fertility treatment…

    • 522 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine system disorder that affects women. Women with this condition may have enlarged ovaries that have collections of fluid. These small collections of fluid are called follicles. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome may experience changes such as acne, excess hair growth, obesity and irregular menstrual periods. More serious side affects include heart disease and type 2 diabetes if not treated.…

    • 478 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    PCOS can cause women to have a lot of health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, ability to have children, heart problems and also your appearance. Refer to figure 8 Treatment for women with pcos varies from women to women. One of the most important treatments for women with this condition is a lifestyle change. By lifestyle change this means changing your diet.…

    • 2411 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine system disorder affecting between 6.5 and 8 percent of women overall.1 PCOS is a condition that can cause women to have irregular periods, grow extra facial hair, gain weight and become obese. The exact cause of PCOS is unclear but it is usually caused by excessive production of androgens by the ovaries. Most patients with PCOS are overweight or obese, with obesity being reported in 30 to 75 percent of PCOS patients. Therefore, diet and exercise to lose weight is the first-line intervention for most PCOS patients. However, due to low compliance to life style modification, drug therapies have been used to as an add-on therapy.2…

    • 1464 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Pcos Syndrome

    • 691 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Polycystic ovary syndrome is known as a hormonal problem, which is believed to be involved with genetic and environmental factors for its development. Women with PCOS normal have High levels of androgens. These are sometimes called male hormones, though females also make them and or many small cysts (fluid-filled sacs) in their ovaries. A main underlying problem with PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. The cause of PCOS is also unknown.…

    • 691 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Dp4 Research Paper

    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages

    PCOS is characterized by hormonal imbalance, hirsutism, amenorrhea, chronic oligo- anovulation, and morphologically abnormal ovaries with numerous small follicular cysts (Banaszewska et al. 2006). PCOS show an increased prevalence of hyperandrogenism, obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes. Thirty-eight to 88% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese (Balen, A. H. 1995; Legro, R. S. 2000). Hyperandrogenism in PCOS patients influences the pathophysiology of adipose tissue, because excess androgen facilitates the deposition of abdominal visceral fat in human and animal models (Xita and Tsatsoulis, 2006). Adipose tissue is considered as an active endocrine organ that secretes hormones, growth factors, cytokines, adipokines and other molecules, and also participates in a large number of physiological processes that are involved in the maintenance of energy homeostasis of the body (Rosenbaum et al., 1997).…

    • 439 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    He became hypertensive three months ago, he does not have diabetes but his blood sugar has been elevated. His medications include Lisinopril; however, he has been noncompliant. At the emergency department labs were drawn, his ACTH and urine cortisol were elevated. His sodium was elevated at 150 mEq/L, and potassium was low at 3.0 mEq/L. An MRI revealed a pituitary tumor.…

    • 1820 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    OB/GYN Summary

    • 203 Words
    • 1 Pages

    OB/GYN- If the patient was interested in conceiving in the near future these chances may be decreased by her recent diagnosis. PCOS causes difficulty conceiving and maintaining a pregnancy due to the hormonal imbalance (Buttaro et al., 2017). General Surgery- Once an ovarian mass has been detected it must be categorized as functional, benign neoplastic or potentially malignant.…

    • 203 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY College of Nursing and Health Professions Nursing 605: Advanced Health Assessment Breast Lump Case Study Jane is a 37 year old woman who presents today after finding multiple, tender breast masses last week. She reports the masses were located on the upper outer quadrant of both breasts, and were very painful. Although the pain seems to have subsided, and she no longer feels the masses, she has kept her appointment for further evaluation. She tearfully shares with you that her best friend died of breast cancer last year, and she is fearful she may now have cancer. Jane has never had a mammogram, and does not perform breast self-examinations on a regular basis.…

    • 1448 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays