Síndrome de Ovario Poliquístico (PCOS)

If you'd like to see more scientifically accurate 3D medical images, subscribe to our channel:    / nucleushealthvideose   MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Polycystic ovary syndrome, also called PCOS, is an imbalance of female sex hormones. The ovaries are part of the female reproductive system, along with the fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina. Your ovaries contain your eggs. These eggs are immature and are stored in small, fluid-filled structures called follicles. The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, produces hormones that direct the function of your ovaries. Each month, the pituitary gland secretes follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) into the bloodstream. After these hormones reach the ovaries, several hundred immature eggs begin to mature, increasing the size of the follicles. As eggs mature, follicles secrete estrogen, the primary female sex hormone. Once the amount of estrogen in the blood reaches a certain level, the pituitary gland sends a large amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) to the ovaries, causing the most mature follicle to rupture and release its egg in a process called ovulation. The released egg travels down the fallopian tube, where it awaits fertilization. Over time, immature follicles and any remaining eggs dissolve. If an egg is not fertilized, it and the lining of the uterus are shed during the next menstrual period. If you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), your pituitary gland may release abnormally high amounts of LH into the bloodstream, disrupting your normal menstrual cycle. As a result, follicles don't mature and ovulation doesn't occur, which can lead to infertility. Some of the immature follicles do not dissolve and remain as fluid-filled sacs, or cysts. In addition, your doctor may find that your blood has high levels of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Excess insulin, in combination with high levels of luteinizing hormone, can lead to overproduction of a male hormone called testosterone in the ovaries. Abnormally high testosterone levels stop ovulation, which can lead to infertility. High testosterone levels also cause many of the physical characteristics associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), such as acne and abnormal hair growth. Having PCOS increases your risk of type 2 diabetes due to excess insulin and insulin resistance, heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and endometrial cancer. Since there is no cure for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), your doctor may recommend one or more medications to treat your symptoms. These include hormonal contraceptives—which, in addition to preventing pregnancy, also regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce testosterone production in the ovaries—anti-androgen medications that reduce abnormal hair growth and acne, diabetes medications such as metformin, which lowers insulin levels and regulates the cycle, and fertility medications, which stimulate ovulation so you can become pregnant. If you want to become pregnant and fertility medications have not been successful in restoring ovulation, your doctor may recommend laparoscopic ovarian incision. During the procedure, the surgeon will insert a small needle into the ovary and use an electric current to destroy the small areas of ovarian tissue where testosterone is produced. Over time, testosterone production decreases, and ovulation may occur. ANH11045es