DB#11 NURS 6501(PCOS)

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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common female endocrine disorder characterized by multiple ovarian cysts. Symptoms of this disorder include high levels of insulin that stimulate the ovaries... to produce large amounts of testosterone which prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg each month. High levels of testosterone also can cause excessive hair growth, male pattern baldness, and acne. Disruptions to the normal menstrual cycle and the absence of ovulation causes women to produce estrogen but not progesterone. Progesterone causes the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to shed during menstruation. Lack of progesterone causes the endometrium to overgrow and atypical cells changes occur which over time could develop into endometrial cancer. PCOS is the most common cause of anovulation (don’t ovulate on a regular cycle or not at all). Studies have shown that women who have never been pregnant and those who are 21 to 50 pounds’ overweight are three times more likely to develop endometrial cancer while women who are over 50 pounds’ overweight have a ten-fold higher risk (pcos.com, 2017). PCOS increases estrogen levels which play a large part in the development of endometrial cancer. [Show More]

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