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Trying To Conceive. Diagnosed With PCOS. Had Hormonal Imbalance. Why Do I Have Raised Testosterone Levels?
Hi I was diagnosed with pcos last year after coming off the contraceptive pill me and my partner were ttc for a year with no results I decided after another 6 months to go back on the pill for a bit after this my periods have retuned to normal average 30-34 day cycles and pcos symptoms seam to have settled down. Is it possible it has gone or could I just of had a hormone imbalance instead of pcos as I had no ultrasounds just a blood test which showed raised levels of testosterone?
posted on
Fri, 22 Mar 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 24 Jul 2013
Answered on
Thu, 25 Jul 2013
Last reviewed on
hi,
thank you for your query.
PCOS is a multi symptom complex that has anovulation, resulting in irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, ovulation-related infertility, and polycystic ovaries; excessive amounts or effects of androgenic (masculinizing) hormones, resulting in acne and hirsutism; and insulin resistance, often associated with obesity.
the increase in testosterone is due to -
1.the release of excessive luteinizing hormone (LH) by the anterior pituitary gland
2.through high levels of insulin in the blood (hyperinsulinaemia) in women whose ovaries are sensitive to this stimulus.
Normally, the ovaries make a tiny amount of male sex hormones (androgens). In PCOS, they start making slightly more androgens.hence there is a common imbalance in the hormones in the body.OCPs help in stabilizing these hormones and hence in turn regularizing menstruation.
to confirm diagnosis of PCOS i would suggest you to get an ultrasound done and it will show the classic cysts in line on the ovary.
also continue with OCP's and if you want to get pregnant then you will have to start using additional medication such as clomiphene citrate.your doctor will advise you further on it.
thank you,
wishing you good health
thank you for your query.
PCOS is a multi symptom complex that has anovulation, resulting in irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, ovulation-related infertility, and polycystic ovaries; excessive amounts or effects of androgenic (masculinizing) hormones, resulting in acne and hirsutism; and insulin resistance, often associated with obesity.
the increase in testosterone is due to -
1.the release of excessive luteinizing hormone (LH) by the anterior pituitary gland
2.through high levels of insulin in the blood (hyperinsulinaemia) in women whose ovaries are sensitive to this stimulus.
Normally, the ovaries make a tiny amount of male sex hormones (androgens). In PCOS, they start making slightly more androgens.hence there is a common imbalance in the hormones in the body.OCPs help in stabilizing these hormones and hence in turn regularizing menstruation.
to confirm diagnosis of PCOS i would suggest you to get an ultrasound done and it will show the classic cysts in line on the ovary.
also continue with OCP's and if you want to get pregnant then you will have to start using additional medication such as clomiphene citrate.your doctor will advise you further on it.
thank you,
wishing you good health
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