Re: aaagh! confusion over how hormones + insulin all affect each other
From: anne (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 10 Dec 2001 17:05:39 -0600 (CST)
Sonnet,
In regards to the article you reference and adrenal abnormalities what
type of abnormalites?
Thanks
Anne
At Sun, 9 Dec 2001, Sonnet wrote:
>
>I've got a great link for you, if you've got time to read through it:
>
>It is VERY long, and at times it can get a LITLLE technical although
>oveall it's very well written and easy to understand without any
>scientific background. It's just that our endocrine system is so
>complex, even the basics of it are enough to make your head spin!
>
>That article goes through a lot of the hormonal process in PCOS, in the
>ovary and aside from it. This clip is a great, short overview of PCOS
>and it points out the pathological process clearly putting the ovaries
>in their place as a tissue affected by PCOS, not the cause. (Although
>it also reminds us that not ovulating / PCO makes everything worse.)
>
>"If a teenage girl is overweight, is insulin resistant, and has
>inherited the trait that predisposes her to abnormal ovarian/adrenal
>function, the stage is then set for her to develop PCOS. The increased
>insulin resistance results in elevated serum insulin levels which then
>stimulates excess androgen production. This results in evidence of
>excess androgen production with facial hirsutism and/or acne.
>
>The excess androgen may also worsen the obesity, adding fuel to the
>fire.
>
>Increased androgen production interferes in normal ovulation. Women
>with this syndrome then stop ovulating (or probably never started in the
>first place). The increased androgen production blocks development of
>the follicles and so the ovary becomes "polycystic". The abnormal ovary
>then begins to produce increased amounts of androgen."
>
>It's complicated I know! But I do hope this helps!
>
>--
>Sonnet
>
>--
>Sonnet Fitzgerald, PCOS Association, Online Community Liaison. Email: sonnet@pcosupport.org
>