Stein-Leventhal syndrome

Alternative names:

polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD); polycystic ovaries; sclerocystic ovarian disease

Symptoms:

• menstrual periods are abnormal, irregular, or scanty (oligomenorrhea).
• Absent menses (amenorrhea), usually (but not always) after having one or more normal menstrual periods during puberty (secondary amenorrhea).
• Obesity.
• Infertility.
• Increased hair growth (hirsutism).
• Decreased breast size.
• Aggravation of acne.
• Unusual growth and distribution of body hair in a male pattern (virilization).

Signs and tests:

In a pelvic examination, the health care provider may note an enlarged clitoris (very rare finding) and enlarged ovaries.

Tests include:

• vaginal ultrasound
• laparoscopy
• ovarian biopsy
• urinalysis
• serum HCG (pregnancy test)

• LH (luteinizing hormone) to FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) ratio increased.
• Androgen (testosterone) levels elevated.
• Elevated LH.
• Estrogen level relatively high.
• FSH decreased.
• Urine 17-ketosteroids may be elevated.
• Serum HCG (pregnancy test) negative.

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• estriol -- urine
• estriol -- serum

Updated Date: 02/09/00

Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial