PCOS Glossary

Ovary (Ovaries) – The ovaries are a pair of organs of the female reproductive system, about the size and shape of an almond. The ovaries produce eggs and female hormones. Eggs are released monthly from one ovary (called “ovulation”).

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome – A combination of hormone-based diseases that affect the gynecological, cosmetic and long-term health of women and girls of child-bearing age. Sexual hormones  — estrogen and androgens (like testosterone) – become out of balance. Women and girls with PCOS start making more androgens than estrogen, therefore causing the following symptoms: absent or irregular menstrual periods, abnormal hair growth, hair thinning, severe acne, weight gain, infertility (due to lack of ovulation), skin tags and skin darkening. Some experts say it is caused by an insulin imbalance.

Some women and girls with PCOS may grow small cysts on their ovaries. This does not always occur, however.

Polycystic Ovary Disease – Another name used for PCOS.

Stein-Leventhal Syndrome – PCOS was originally called Stein-Leventhal Syndrome after the two doctors who first discovered the disorder in the 1930s.

Insulin Resistance – The body’s cells do not react correctly to action of insulin. Insulin is the hormone that regulates the amount of sugar (called “glucose”) in the blood. Women and girls with Insulin Resistance have abnormally high blood-sugar levels and are at risk for developing Type II Diabetes (Type I is normally called “juvenile diabetes”).

Androgen Excess – An alternate way of describing PCOS. Androgen excess disorders are characterized as hormonal imbalances.

Ovarian Cysts  — Cysts are fluid-filled sacs which form during a ‘normal’ menstrual cycle. Ovarian cysts occur when the egg is not released from the ovary

Endocrinology – the branch of medicine that deals with disorders of the hormones, or endocrine system.

Hirsutism – From the Latin word Hirsutus, meaning “hairy.” Characterized by excessive growth of thick dark hair on bodily areas  where hair growth in women is considered at a minimum (i.e. face, neck, chest, abdomen)

Acanthosis Nigricans — Causes velvety, brown-to-black markings on the neck, groin, or under the arms. It is often associated with obesity.

Amennorhea – Absence of a menstrual period

Oligomenorrhea – Infrequent or very light menstruation in a woman with previously normal periods.

Skin Tags (acrochordons) – Common benign skin growth that looks like a small piece of hanging skin (flesh-colored). Typically appears on the neck, underarms, eyelids and under the breast, as well as upper chest and groin folds.

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Sources:
WebMD PCOS Topic Overview
http://women.webmd.com/tc/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-topic-overview

Androgen Excess Society
http://www.androgenexcesssociety.org/patients.html

eMedicine by WebMD
http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic472.htm

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine
http://www.hmc.psu.edu/healthinfo/no/oligomenorrhea.htm

MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/skin_tag/article.htm

WomensHealth.gov
http://www.4women.gov/faq/ovarian_cysts.htm

Society for Endocrinology
http://www.endocrinology.org/

 American Electrology Association
 http://www.electrology.com