Polycystic ovary disease

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Endocrine glands	Female reproductive anatomy	Follicle development	Pelvic laparoscopy
Stein-Leventhal syndrome	Uterus

Polycystic ovary disease is characterized by enlarged ovaries with multiple small cysts, an abnormally high number of follicles at various states of maturation, and a thick, scarred capsule surrounding each ovary.

The syndrome was originally reported by Stein and Leventhal in 1935 when they described a group of women with amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period), infertility, hirsutism (unwanted hair growth in women), and enlarged polycystic ovaries.

Today, it is known that those with polycystic ovaries may have some, but not necessarily all, of the "classic" symptoms included in Stein-Leventhal syndrome.

Polycystic ovaries; Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); Stein-Leventhal syndrome; Polyfollicular ovarian disease.

Polycystic ovary disease is an endocrine disorder, which means normal hormone cycles are interrupted. Hormones direct many functions throughout the body. For example, hormones regulate reproductive functions, including the normal development of eggs in the ovaries. It is not completely understood why or how hormone cycles are interrupted, although there are several working theories.

In polycystic ovary disease, under-developed follicles accumulate in the ovaries. Follicles are sacs within the ovaries that contain eggs. The eggs in these follicles do not mature and, therefore, cannot be released from the ovaries. Instead, they accumulate as cysts in the ovary. This can contribute to infertility. The lack of follicle maturation and the inability to ovulate are likely caused by low levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ,and higher-than-normal levels of androgens (male hormones), produced in the ovary.

Insulin resistance also seems to be a key feature in polycystic ovarian syndrome. In addition to other hormones, insulin helps regulate ovarian function. When someone is insulin resistant, this means that cells throughout the body do not readily respond to the insulin circulating in the blood. For this reason, the amount of insulin remains high in the blood (hyperinsulinemia). High levels of insulin can contribute to lack of ovulation, high androgen levels, infertility, and early pregnancy loss.