Endocrine Abstracts

Women with PCOS show increased cardiovascular risk factors compared to weight matched controls with normal ovarian function. The evidence is broadly consistent for deranged lipids (in particular elevated triglyceride and low HDL-cholesterol) and greater glucose intolerance in women with PCOS. Evidence of hypertension is less consistent. There are also preliminary data now for altered haemostatic (t-PA antigen) and inflammatory (C-reactive protein concentrations) factors. All s...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest cause of anovulatory infertility, and menstrual disturbances. The mechanism of anovulation is complex but the characteristic ovarian feature is arrest of antral follicles at 5–8 mm in diameter. Follicle arrest probably reflects the abnormal endocrine environment in which elevated LH and or hyperinsulinaemia (together with a relative deficiency of FSH) are important elements. However, recent studies also point to abnormali...

For patients diagnosed with PCOS, hirsutism is likely to be identified in over 50% of cases. This, along with other distressing symptoms, can have a profound psychological effect on the patient.My lecture will focus on the treatment of hirsutism with particular emphasis on electrical epilation- the only treatment available which has potential to achieve permanency.I will discuss temporary methods of hair removal and their affects o...