Furocyst - Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome Study

The symptoms of PCOS are anovulation, resulting in irregular menstruation (amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea) ovulation-related infertility, and polycystic ovaries, often associated with obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. The level of serum insulin and insulin resistance are higher in women with PCOS (Hyperinsulinemia).Insulin resistance, defined as the decreased insulin mediated glucose utilization it is more common in women with PCOS up to 50 % in both obese and non obese women . It has also been recognized that some women with this syndrome will have PCO without clinical evidence of androgen excess, but will display evidence of ovarian dysfunction .

It is believed to be that, the Hyperinsulinemia of PCOS stimulates the androgens production and increase the activity by decreasing the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) thus increasing the free active testosterone level and by the activating the cytochrome P 450 C 17 alpha enzymatic system that controls androgens production.

The diagnosis of PCOS is based on Hyperandrogenism and chronic anovulation in the absence of specific pituitary or adrenal disease , and have disrupted ovulatory function with chronic oligomenorrhea (cycle length > 35 day) or amenorrhea (cycle length > 12 week) and typical appearance of polycystic ovaries by ultrasound according to the criteria of the Rotterdam consensus meeting 2003 for diagnosis of PCOS. The different diagnostic tests needed to adequately assess for the possibility of PCOS e.g. Pregnancy test, TSH level (for Hyperthyroidism), Prolactin test (for Hyperprolactinemia), Total testosterone (for ovarian tumor) and some tests forevaluating the insulin resistance syndrome in women: Waist circumference (>88 cm), Triglycerides (>150 mg/dL), HDL Cholesterol (<50 mg/dL), Blood pressure (>130/85) and Fasting glucose (>110 mg/dL). Fasting glucose- to- insulin ratio and 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test (2h- OGTT 140 - 199 mg/dL) may be better predictor of insulin resistance .

The management of the PCOS is symptoms specific e.g.

1. Oral contraceptives, periodic progesterone withdrawal for the control of irregular menstruation.

2. Oral contraceptives, Metformin and anti-androgens (Spironolactone) for the

Hirsutism.

3. Clomiphene citrate, Metformin and thiazolidinediones for infertility. A recent study shown that, the combination of Metformin plus Clomiphene citrate should be considered as the First line treatment for infertile women with PCOS .

4. Metformin and lifestyle modification for the insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus.

All these management options are only for "acute" not for "chronic". The long-term management approach for the PCOS is needed which will be based on management of most affecting factor insulin resistance.