Via practica 5/2005

INSULIN RESISTANCE AND THE POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation and metabolic syndrome and is currently one of the most frequent endocrinopaties in women of fertile age. Hyperinsulinemia as a compensatory mechanism of insuline resistance, represents the main symptom of PCOS. Nowadays there is a great interest about this problem, because hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are associated with various metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension). Hyperinsulinemia occurs 2-3 times frequently in obese compared to lean women. Decrease of hyperinsulinemia using method of weight reduction or treatment with insulin sensitisers leads to a correction of menstrual cycle abnormalities and reduces a risk of diabetes mellitus II type such as cardiovascular diseses. Obesity, frequently asscociated with hyperinsulinemia, plays an important role in menstrual cycle abnormalities. So that weight reduction represents the first therapeutic approach in the treatment of obese patients with PCOS.

Keywords: anovulatory cycles, polycystic ovaries, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia.