Increased risk of cardiovascular disease from increased lipids Increased risk of endometrial cancer Increased risk of breast abnormalities Increased risk of developing type II diabetes Many of these findings are inter-related in a complex system of cause and effect. Again, these are all clinical findings and are not necessarily related to the cause of the syndrome. The exact etiology of the syndrome is unknown. There are several theories as to the underlying cause or causes. Obesity - obesity alone can not account for all of the findings of PCOS, however, it does worsen the degree of insulin resistance.
Weight loss can often lead to a reversal of the clinical manifestations.
Patients have been able to reduce the effects of the elevated androgens as well as resume normal ovulation with weight loss alone. The follicles are initially stimulated to grow but do not have enough FSH to continue to grow. This results in the polycystic appearance of the ovaries. Because follicles are not developing normally women will not ovulate normally and will not have normal menses. Other names which have been used to refer to this syndrome include Insulin Resistance Syndrome and Hyperestrogenic Anovulation.