Polycystic Ovary : Pathology Case Analysis

Running Head: POLYCYSTIC OVARY: PATHOLOGY CASE ANALYSIS
POLYCYSTIC OVARY: PATHOLOGY CASE ANALYSIS
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POLYCYSTIC OVARY: PATHOLOGY CASE ANALYSIS1
Introduction:
Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the major growing syndromes that is taking a toll on
the fertility rate of all the women all over the globe. The polycystic ovary syndrome has been
found out to increase the risk of infertility, abnormal glucose metabolism, endometrial cancer
and dyslipidaemia. The paper below discusses the case study of 32-year-old woman who has
been complaining of not being able to get pregnant. She had been facing the problem of having
irregular periods (4 to 6 per year) and had been taking prescribed oral contraceptive pills since
she was 17 years old. The paper discusses about the epidemiology, aetiology, pharmacological,
signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures along with the other forms of the biomedical
treatments and intervention programs. Lastly, the paper discusses the prognosis, red flags and
their possible significance, and potential differential diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Case Study:
The case study projects light on a 32 year old woman who is found with one of the main
problems of not being able to get pregnant. On further investigation, it has been known that she
was taking oral contraceptive pills since the age of 17 as she was having irregular periods
(maximum 4 to 6 a year). She further stated that she continued taking the said pills upto the age
of 30 years, and had stopped taking them when she and her husband decided to plan a baby. It
has been observed that since she had stopped taking the said oral contraceptive pills, she had
started gaining weight and started having facial hair growth faster than she used to. Additionally,
to her dismay she was not unable to get pregnant and had been having her periods only 3 to 5
times a year. The case clearly shows that the symptoms are of polycystic ovary syndrome and the
diagnosis is performed accordingly.

POLYCYSTIC OVARY: PATHOLOGY CASE ANALYSIS2
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (McCartney and Marshall, 2016) is considered as a
hormonal disorder and is found common in maximum of the women population who are of the
reproductive age. The said syndrome show that the women who are suffering from the syndrome
suffer from infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods. It has also been seen that they suffer from
excessive production of male hormones (androgen) levels. The syndrome arises when the ovaries
that are present, even though they develop into various and numerous small collections of fluid
or the follicles but are unable to release the eggs at regular intervals. This is regarded as one of
the most complex condition and is often diagnosed along with the presence of two of three
following criteria such as the hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries and ovulatory dysfunction.
Clinical Manifestations:
The clinical manifestations of PCOS are mainly the irregularity of periods along with the
excessive growth of male hormones. Here, in the case study it can be clearly observed that the
patient was facing problems regarding irregular periods since she was 17 and it started getting
worse post her stopping the taking of oral contraceptive pills when she tried getting pregnant.
She was also facing excessive growth of facial hair due to the more production of male hormones
in her body. The signs and symptoms are discussed accordingly in the table given below and are
evaluated as per the case study accordingly:
Signs / Symptoms Clinical relevance
Irregular Periods One of the first symptoms that determine the
occurrence of polycystic ovary syndrome

POLYCYSTIC OVARY: PATHOLOGY CASE ANALYSIS3
(PCOS). The PCOS are observed with many
small, fluid-filled sacs that are found to grow
inside the ovaries. These particular sacs are
actually follicles, which carry immature eggs.
These eggs never mature enough to trigger
any kind of ovulation leading to the alteration
of the levels of the estrogen, FSH, LH and
progesterone. The progesterone and the
estrogen levels are usually found out to be
lower than the androgen levels, which are
higher in number. These extra male hormones
levels are found to disrupt the menstrual
cycle, leading to the occurrence of lesser
cycles of periods than usual.
Excessive hair growth Due to excessive production of male
hormone, they lead to the excessive growth of
facial hair or growth of hair on the chest, neck
or the chest. These are due to the lesser
production of oestrogen and progesterone in
the body.
Suddenly gaining weight The higher androgen levels in the body lead
to the triggering of gaining weight. The