Polycystic ovarian disease.

Polycystic ovarian disease represents a poorly defined spectrum of clinical disorders having oligo-ovulation or anovulation as a common feature. There is no single, universally accepted biochemical or clinical definition. Clinical findings usually include anovulation resulting in irregular uterine bleeding and infertility, androgen excess resulting in hirsutism and acne, and obesity. The patho-physiology involves altered functions of the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary and adrenal glands, resulting in failure of folliculogenesis to regularly proceed to ovulation. The cause of the initiating event in this disease process remains enigmatic. Therapy for the various abnormalities in polycystic ovarian disease is tailored to a patient's needs and may include preventing endometrial hyperplasia, controlling irregular uterine bleeding, controlling hirsutism and inducing ovulation.