Question

Version B SA 3. (4 pts.) Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Signs and symptoms of PCOS often develop around the time of the tirst menstrual period during puberty. Sometimes PCOS develops later in response weight gain. to substantial Regular Cycle PCOS Cycle LH FSH FSH LH Cycle dayylsto Day Dav Based on the information above and your knowledge of the female reproductive cycles, explain the observations that women with PCOS often experience anovulation (no ovulation) and irregular or no menstruation.

Answer 1

hey Champ !

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a leading cause of female infertility; in fact, PCOS is the most common cause of chronic anovulation (when a woman’s ovary does not release an egg).

In PCOS, many small, fluid-filled sacs grow inside the ovaries. The word “polycystic” means “many cysts.”

These sacs are actually follicles, each one containing an immature egg. The eggs never mature enough to trigger ovulation.

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown but it is thought to be caused by a hormone imbalance, resulting in women with PCOS having elevated levels of LH throughout their cycle.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) control ovulation. FSH stimulates the ovary to produce a follicle — a sac that contains an egg — and then LH triggers the ovary to release a mature egg.

During Regular cycle , certain amount of FSH and 'LH surge' shown in the graph on left hand side by a steep wave, are critically required for OVULATION. The levels of these hormones are otherwise low during the entire month except in the days of ovulation i.e, 14th day of the month. This sudden elevation shown by the peak in the graph is responsible for ovulation.

In contrast to this , PCOS cycle has all the time constant high level of LH and fairly low levels of FSH. LH surge is absent due to hormonal imbalance in PCOS cycle therefore causing anovulation.

The lack of ovulation alters levels of estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH. Estrogen and progesterone levels are lower than usual, while androgen levels are higher than usual.

Extra male hormones disrupt the menstrual cycle, so women with PCOS get fewer periods than usual.

Hope this helps you !!