REPRODUCTION-POLYCYSTIC
OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Describe the relationship between insulin resistance and PCOS. - ANSWER-Insulin
resistance is a condition in which the body produces insulin but cannot use it effectively.
Muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond properly to insulin and therefore cannot easily
absorb glucose from the bloodstream. As a result, patients with insulin resistance need
higher levels of insulin to help glucose enter the cells. Over time, the body can no longer
keep up with the high insulin demands, leading to blood glucose levels above the
healthy range.
What are the consequences of insulin resistance? - ANSWER-Long Term Health
Consequences of Insulin Resistance: insulin resistance can cause pre diabetes, type 2
diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease; weight loss and
regular exercise are recommended to increase insulin sensitivity and avoid long-term
health consequences.
What is the logic behind the use of birth control pills to treat PCOS as a treatment
option? - ANSWER--Combination Oral Contraceptive Pills (COCs) are the first line of
treatment for women with menstrual irregularities. They induce regular menstrual
cycles; reduce ovarian androgen production by suppressing gonadotropin hormones
(treats the symptoms of hyperandrogenism - acne, male-pattern hair loss, excess body
hair); the estrogen in COCs increase sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels.
SHBG binds to free testosterone, thus becoming unavailable at the hair follicle (treats
hirsutism)
What is the logic behind the use of diabetes medication as a treatment option? -
ANSWER--Treatment goal: reduce the risk of developing diabetes and CVD (long-term
consequence of insulin resistance). Insulin-sensitizing agents such as Metformin are
given to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Metformin decrease
hepatic glucose production, decrease intestinal absorption of glucose, and improve
insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake utilization.
-Treatment goal: achieve pregnancy Metformin decreases androgen levels, leading to
increased rates of ovulation. Metformin alone can be effective treatment for women
trying to conceive.
What is the impact of PCOS on fertility? Provide a brief rationale for your answer. -
ANSWER-The ovaries have tiny fluid-filled sacs called follicles or cysts. When the egg
begins to grow, the follicle builds up fluid. When the egg matures, the follicle breaks
open and releases the egg where it travels to the uterus for fertilization (ovulation). In
women with PCOS, the ovary does not make all of the hormones it needs for an egg to
fully mature. The follicle remains as a cyst (hence "polycystic" ovaries) and ovulation
OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Describe the relationship between insulin resistance and PCOS. - ANSWER-Insulin
resistance is a condition in which the body produces insulin but cannot use it effectively.
Muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond properly to insulin and therefore cannot easily
absorb glucose from the bloodstream. As a result, patients with insulin resistance need
higher levels of insulin to help glucose enter the cells. Over time, the body can no longer
keep up with the high insulin demands, leading to blood glucose levels above the
healthy range.
What are the consequences of insulin resistance? - ANSWER-Long Term Health
Consequences of Insulin Resistance: insulin resistance can cause pre diabetes, type 2
diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease; weight loss and
regular exercise are recommended to increase insulin sensitivity and avoid long-term
health consequences.
What is the logic behind the use of birth control pills to treat PCOS as a treatment
option? - ANSWER--Combination Oral Contraceptive Pills (COCs) are the first line of
treatment for women with menstrual irregularities. They induce regular menstrual
cycles; reduce ovarian androgen production by suppressing gonadotropin hormones
(treats the symptoms of hyperandrogenism - acne, male-pattern hair loss, excess body
hair); the estrogen in COCs increase sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels.
SHBG binds to free testosterone, thus becoming unavailable at the hair follicle (treats
hirsutism)
What is the logic behind the use of diabetes medication as a treatment option? -
ANSWER--Treatment goal: reduce the risk of developing diabetes and CVD (long-term
consequence of insulin resistance). Insulin-sensitizing agents such as Metformin are
given to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Metformin decrease
hepatic glucose production, decrease intestinal absorption of glucose, and improve
insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake utilization.
-Treatment goal: achieve pregnancy Metformin decreases androgen levels, leading to
increased rates of ovulation. Metformin alone can be effective treatment for women
trying to conceive.
What is the impact of PCOS on fertility? Provide a brief rationale for your answer. -
ANSWER-The ovaries have tiny fluid-filled sacs called follicles or cysts. When the egg
begins to grow, the follicle builds up fluid. When the egg matures, the follicle breaks
open and releases the egg where it travels to the uterus for fertilization (ovulation). In
women with PCOS, the ovary does not make all of the hormones it needs for an egg to
fully mature. The follicle remains as a cyst (hence "polycystic" ovaries) and ovulation
