Big Picture of PCOS

By Erin KirkpatrickISCI 647b

Uterine Environment

An unfavorable environment in utero causes stress and a possible “thrifty” phenotype (9)

The result of this is increased Luteinizing Hormone (LH) amount/frequency of pulse and hyperinsulinemia in the fetus (5)

Examples of unfavorable uterine environment include: calorie restriction, fetal hypoxia, smoking mother, malnutrition in mother (4)

See References 2: Image 1

Hyperinsulinemia results in insulin

resistance(IR) (5)

The ovaries are very sensitive to IR and begin to secrete high androgens that are synthesized into testosterone by the high levels of LH (6)

The body then compensates throughout life with many side effects and symptoms (4)

Ovarian Dysfunction

Onset

Usually in adolescence physical symptoms such as hirsutism (shown right), acne, male-patterned baldness, weight gain and arrheomenorrhea occur. (4)

Internal symptoms include hormonal imbalance and metabolic disorders (8)

See References 2: Image 2

Compensation

Excess abdominal fat, Metabolic Syndrome, Type II Diabetes Mellitus, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Hypo-thyroidism are responses of the body. (7,8)

Early aging, infertility, and cardiovascular disease may be present.(4)

See References 2: Image 3

The body tries to maintain homeostasis

throughout the hormonal imbalance and the insulin resistance.

The excess of androgens manifest in the least harmful way: secondary male-sex characteristics and dysfunction of the ovaries instead of complete cessation of ovulation. (3)

The excess of insulin resistance manifest slowly and is quick to reverse when exercise and healthy eating is applied. (4)

Homeostasis

Help for PCOS

Exercise regularly to reduce obesity and insulin resistance. (1)

Eat a healthy diet: low in sugar and simple carbs but high in colored vegetables, fruit, and lean meats. (2)

Include antioxidant rich foods like green tea, ginger, turmeric, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon (2)

See References 2: Image 4

If you have ever had an ovarian ultrasound with a result

of “cysts on your ovaries” you may have PCOS.

If you suffer from more than 2 of these symptoms you may have PCOS:

Insulin resistance or glucose intolerance Irregular menses Male-patterned hair growth Male-patterned balding Obesity/overweight in abdomen Resistant acne

References: 4

Do I Have PCOS?

What Can I Do?

Contact you family doctor or Ob/Gyn and tell them your concerns

Ask the doctor to refer you to the specialists you will need after testing has been done

Start exercising and decrease sugar and simple carb intake

References: 1,3,4,6,7,8

Tests for PCOS-Ultrasound of ovaries-Hormone: Free androgen, free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin-Metabolic: A1C, glucose tolerance test -Liver: ALT, AST, ultrasound-Thyroid: T3, T4, TSH, Thyroglobulin antibody

1. Abazar, E. Taghian, F., Mardanian, F., Forozandeh, D. (2015). Effects of Aerobic Exercise on

Plasma Lipoproteins in Overweight and Obese Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Adv Biomed Res. Vol.4 (I) 68. Doi: 10.4103/2277-9175.153892

2. Axe, J. (n.d.) Top 10 High Antioxidant Foods. Retrieved from: http://draxe.com/top-10-high-antioxidant-foods/

3. Castellano, C., Baillargeon, J., Nugent, S., Tremblay, S., Fortier, M., Imbeault, H., Duval, J., Cunnane, S. (2015). Regional Brain Glucose Hypometabolism in Young Women with PCOS: Possible Link to Mild Insulin Resistance. PLoS One. Vol 10. (I) 12. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144116

4. De Melo, A., Dias, S., Cavalli, R., Cardoso, V., Bettiol, H., Barbieri, M., Ferriani, R., Vieira, C. (2015). Pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Multifactorial Assessment From the Foetal Stage to Menopause. Reproduction. Vol 150. (I) 1. Doi: 10.1530/REP-14-0499

5. King, J. (2006). Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health. Vol 56. (I) 6.

References 1

6. Ramezani-Binabaj, M., Motalebi, M., Karimi-sari, H., Rezaee-Zavareh, M., Alavian, S.

(2014). Are Woemen with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome at High Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; A Meta Analysis. Hepatitis Monthly. Vol 14, (I) 11. Doi:10.5812/hepatmon.23235

7. Romanowski, M., Parolin, M., Freitas, A., Piazza, M., Basso, J., Urbanetz, A. (2015). Prevalence of Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Women with PCOS and its Correlation with Metabolic Syndrome. Arq. Gastroenterol. Vol 52. No. 2. Doi: 10.1590/S0004-28032015000200008

8. Singla, R., Gupta, Y., Khemani, M., Aggarwal, S. (2015). Thyroid Disorders and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: An Emerging Relationship. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. Vol 19, (I) 1. Doi:10:4103/2230-8210.146860

9. Tsikouras, P., Spyros, L., Manav, B., Zervoudis, S., Poiana, C., Nikolaos, T., Petros, P., Dimitraki, M., Koukouli, C., Galazios G., Von Templehoff, G. (2015). Features of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Adolescence. Journal of Medicine and Life. Vol 8. (I) 3. PMCID: PMC4556908

References 1, cont.

Image 1: David Roseborough from Los Angeles, United States

- #igerslarep #baby #jj #pregnantUploaded by calliopejen1, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17294235

Image 2: By Charles Eisenmann [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Image 3: By EmilyMarcusbbw (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Image 4: By Peter van der Suijs (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

References 2