question from a user
Please explain the role of androgens in PCOS? The condition is already caused by androgen excess
AlphaMD's Answer
Women produce more testosterone in their lifespan than estrogen. In fact young women produce 3-4x as much testosterone than estrogen daily. Women also have a much, much larger amount of the aromatase enzyme than men, which converts testosterone into estrogen.
The ovaries produce testosterone first, and the ovaries also have an abundance of the aromatase enzyme. You can think of the multiple cysts of PCOS acting like holes leaking out the testosterone before it can be converted into estrogen by the aromatase there.
So PCOS is not actually a problem of overproduction of androgens. Women with PCOS produce the same amount of testosterone they always do. It's a problem of too little conversion of testosterone into estrogen.
Related Questions
With continued estrogenification of our environment in societal wide decreases in testosterone and sperm count, not everyone is going to necessarily f...
The question really comes down to do you have primary or secondary hypogonadism. If you have primary hypogonadism, you could take all the enclomiphene in the world and it would not adequately raise th... See Full Answer
What do i do if i am fat(37 BMI) and and have low SHGB(11 nmol/l) low test(1-2 ng/ml over several measurements). I do go to the gym 4 times a week, ha...
Additional Testosterone is converted into Estrogen because the body sees it as "maintaining the balance" and isn't directly related to body fat content. Estrogen is fat soluble which does mean that wh... See Full Answer
Ready to get answers?
Ask your own question today.
Get $30 off your first month’s order
Enter your email address now to receive $30 off your first month’s cost, other discounts, and additional information about TRT.
Legal Disclaimer
This website is a repository of publicly available information and is not intended to form a physician-patient relationship with any individual. The content of this website is for informational purposes only. The information presented on this website is not intended to take the place of your personal physician's advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Discuss this information with your own physician or healthcare provider to determine what is right for you. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. The information contained herein is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, phone or telemedicine call, consultation or advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. Only a qualified physician in your state can determine if you qualify for and should undertake treatment.