Stein-Leventhal syndrome
Alternative names:
polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD); polycystic ovaries; sclerocystic
ovarian disease
Definition:
An accumulation of many incompletely developed follicles
in the ovaries. This condition is characterized by irregular
menstrual cycles, scanty or absent
menses, multiple small cysts
on the ovaries (polycystic ovaries), mild hirsutism, and infertility.
Many women who have this condition also have diabetes with
insulin resistance.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Abnormal ovarian function sometimes causes incompletely
developed follicles (ova) to accumulate in the ovaries. These
ova fail to mature and ovulate, causing them to accumulate
as cysts in the ovary and to contribute to infertility.
Polycystic ovaries are two to five times as large as normal
ovaries, and they have a white, thick, very tough outer covering.
This condition is commonly called Stein-Leventhal syndrome
and usually develops shortly after puberty.
A woman with polycystic ovaries will stop menstruating (she
may not have ever started) or will menstruate erratically.
She will gain weight, eventually becoming obese,
and may develop excessive amounts of facial or body hair (hirsutism).
Some women exhibit virilization.
Although the cause of Stein-Leventhal is not fully understood,
there are several theories suggesting that problems with estrogen
production and hypothalamic-ovarian feedback may be responsible.
Normal ovarian function is dependent on a number of hormones
and failure of one or more of these hormones to be produced
at the right time, in the proper concentration, can interfere
with normal development. Ovarian function will not proceed
normally if a woman's body does not produce sufficient amounts
of pituitary hormones. However, an increase in the amount
of follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH), which is one of the hormones normally produced by the
pituitary gland, is frequently successful in stimulating the
underdeveloped ova to mature and be released from the ovary.
Women diagnosed with this disorder frequently have a mother
or sister(s) with similar symptoms commonly associated with
PCOD (polycystic ovarian disease). However, there is not currently
enough evidence to prove a genetic link to the disease.
Conception is frequently possible with proper surgical or
medicinal treatments. Following conception, pregnancy
is normally uneventful.
Updated Date: 02/09/00
Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
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