PCOD/PCOS

PCOD/PCOS

PCOS is an endocrine and metabolic disorder. It is considered in any woman with acne, hirsutism, menstrual irregularity, or obesity.

Patients with PCOS, have anovulation, i.e. they may not produce a follicle cyclically. They may therefore present with primary amenorrhea (i.e. no periods at all), too few periods (oligomenorrhea) or secondary amenorrhea i.e. absence of periods for six months or more. Some may also have excessive, frequent and irregular bleeding (dysfunctional uterine bleeding).

Resistance to insulin, and increase in insulin levels is an important factor in PCOS. Obesity is present in approximately one-half of patients with PCOS. The waist:hip ratio may be greater than 0.85.

The cause of PCOS is unknown, but there is a possibility that PCOS may be a complex genetic disorder in which the genetic factor interacts with various environmental factors and causes imbalance in the hormones.

The diagnosis of PCOS is based upon clinical and biochemical criteria. It is suspected in cases of adolescents with hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularity, or obesity. The diagnosis is further confirmed if excess androgen is demonstrated by laboratory testing. Androgen panel consists of plasma total testosterone, free testosterone, and another androgens such as DHEA sulfate. Plasma-free testosterone is the single most sensitive test for the detection of androgen excess. DHEA sulfate is the main marker of androgens that come from adrenals. Cortisol and thyroid function tests are indicated in obese patients to exclude other causes of obesity.

Pelvic ultrasound shows the features of a polycystic ovary. i.e. multiple(more than 10) small follicles with increased stroma.

A baseline lipid panel and a glucose tolerance test are important as PCOS is related to insulin resistance. The fasting glucose concentration is poor predictor of the two-hour level in PCOS. Two-hour blood glucose greater than 140 mg/dL indicates insulin resistance and this is important from the treatment point of view.