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Insulin Resistance and Hyperinsulinism in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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Androgen Excess Disorders in Women

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

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Abstract

Insulin resistance with compensatory hyperinsulinemia has been demonstrated to occur in 50–70% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), regardless of weight. Hyperinsulinemia stimulates excess ovarian androgen production, thereby contributing to the hyperandrogenism and chronic anovulation characteristic of PCOS. The exact cause of insulin resistance in PCOS is unknown, but it appears to be related to a postbinding defect in insulin receptor-mediated signal transduction. Because of insulin resistance, women with PCOS are at risk for several long-term metabolic complications, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

    Paulina A. Essah

  2. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

    John E. Nestler

Authors
  1. Paulina A. Essah
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  2. John E. Nestler
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Androgen Related Disorders, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Department of Medicine, The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

    Ricardo Azziz MD, MPH, MBA

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

    John E. Nestler MD

  3. Department of Endocrine Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Lille University Hospital, Lille, France

    Didier Dewailly MD

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© 2006 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Essah, P.A., Nestler, J.E. (2006). Insulin Resistance and Hyperinsulinism in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. In: Azziz, R., Nestler, J.E., Dewailly, D. (eds) Androgen Excess Disorders in Women. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-179-6_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-179-6_24

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-663-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-179-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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