Infertility and PCOS Erinn Myers, M4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Tennessee Health Science Center January 28, 2007

Learning Objectives Following the presentation “Infertility and PCOS” participants should be able to: –Diagnose PCOS. –Understand the differences between PCO, PCOS and PCOM. –Decide on possible treatment. –Exclude other problems.

DEFINITION Inability to conceive after a year of exposure to conception. – –Six months > 35 years old. – –A disability and a disease… NOT an elective condition. – –Great societal and demographic impact

Factors MaleOvarianCervicalPeritonealTubalUterineUnexplained

Ovulation An LH (luteinizing hormone) surge occurs 24 to 36 hours prior to ovulation (Follicular rupture = It is the ovary’s job to make a cyst and rupture it.) Progesterone is increasingly produced after the LH surge Secretory changes occur in the endometrium due to progesterone.

Ovulation Pregnancy is absolute proof of ovulation. Serum progesterones are 99%+ proof of ovulation. These are done: –8 days after a positive ovulation test –7 days after ovulation on a monitor –Day 21 and 24 if ovulation day is uncertain.

Ovulation Disorders PCOSHypothyroidismHyperprolactinemia Weight Loss / Weight Gain

PCOS Diagnosis –Somatic Hyperandrogenism –Lab Hyperandrogenism –Oligo-anovulation –PCOM (polycystic ovarian morphology)

1990 NIH/NICHD PCOS diagnosis –Ovulatory dysfunction –Clinical hyperandrogenism and/or hyperandrogenemia –Exclusion of other disorders such as Non-classical adrenal hyperplasia Androgen secreting tumor HyperprolactinemiaThyroid

2003 ESHRE/ASRM PCOS diagnosis –At least 2 of the following features Oligoovulation or anovulation Clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism Polycystic ovarian morphology (sonography) –Exclusion of other disorders –2003 Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM Consensus. Fertil Steril 81:19, 2004

PCOS Diagnosis is more clinical than lab. –Androgenism (hirsute, acne, central obesity) –Oligo-anovulatory –PCOM (polycystic ovarian morphology) –Elevated androgens Androgens decrease with age –Decreased HDL and SHBG

PCOM PCOM (polycystic ovarian morphology) –> 12 follicles at mm in at least 1 ovary –Volume > 10cc –Does not apply if on BCPs –If a follicle is >10mm, repeat scan next cycle Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM Consensus. Fertil Steril 81:19, 2004

PCOM PCOM (polycystic ovarian morphology)

PCOM

PCOM vs. Follicles PCOM (polycystic ovarian morphology) vs. Pre- ovulatory Follicles

Screening Tests FSH and E2 ProlactinTSH17-OHP Lipids / HDL decreased SBHG decreased 2 hour glucose to screen for diabetes

Exclude Non-classical 17-hydroxylase deficiency can look like PCOS HAIRAN - hyperandrogenic insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans Adrenal tumor Cushing’sProlactinThyroid Pituitary insufficiency Hypothalamic amenorrhea

Stop Using “Inappropriate LH" as a diagnosis LH / FSH ratio as it is not sufficiently predictive Fasting insulin as it is not sensitive Dexamethasone therapy can induce insulin resistance

Utility of LH/FSH Ratio Study designed to understand the biological variability of the LH/FSH ratio in women with PCOS vs. women with normal menstruation over one full cycle Will assess the diagnostic utility of the LH/FAH ratio 10 consecutive blood samples were taken at 4 day intervals in 12 PCOS patients and 11 age and weight matched controls – –Cho, LW, et. al. Bio variation of the LH/FSH ratio in normal women and those with PCOS. Endocrine Abstracts (2005) 9 p80

Utility of LH/FSH Ratio 7.6% of PCOS and 15.6% of controls had LH/FSH ratio above 3 Sensitivity 7.6% Specificity 33.7% Therefore, the biological variation of the LG/FSH ratio is at least as wide in the control group as in the PCOS group – –Cho, LW, et. al. Bio variation of the LH/FSH ratio in normal women and those with PCOS. Endocrine Abstracts (2005) 9 p80

LH/FSH Ratio Study to determine the incidence of abnormal LH/FSH ratio in women with PCOS with normoinsulinemia and hyperinsulinemia Access the influence of elevated LH/FSH ratio on selected endocrine and biochemical parameters LH/FSH ratio119 patients with PCOS was calculated and underwent hormonal and metabolic analysis – –Banaszewska B, et. al., Incidence of elevated LH/FSH ration in PCOS women with normo- and hyperinsulinemia. Pocz Acad Med Bialymst. 2003;48:131-4

LH/FSH Ratio 45.4% had an LH/FSH >2, Normal 55% had normal gonadotropin ratio Statistically significant differences between groups with normal and elevated LH/FSH –BMI, serum insulin, LH levels Majority of women with elevated insulin had a normal LH/FSH ratio – –Banaszewska B, et. al., Incidence of elevated LH/FSH ration in PCOS women with normo- and hyperinsulinemia. Pocz Acad Med Bialymst. 2003;48:131-4

LH/FSH Ratio LH/FSH ratio is not a characteristic attribute of ALL PCOS women –This study found ratio to be elevated <50% Most of PCOS patients with normal gonadotropin levels also had hyperinsulinemia and obseity Patients with hyperinsulinemia and elevated LH had increased adrenal androgenic activity – –Banaszewska B, et. al., Incidence of elevated LH/FSH ration in PCOS women with normo- and hyperinsulinemia. Pocz Acad Med Bialymst. 2003;48:131-4

PCOS Treatment –Weight loss and exercise –Clomid (clomiphene citrate) (3 months) –Letrozole (Femara ® ) (aromatase inhibitor) (3 months) –Metformin (6 months) Note that the combination of metformin and clomiphene are more productive at months 4-6 compared with months 1-3. –Gonadotropins

PCOS Weight loss –Poor results if BMI > 50 –Requires a dedicated program of diet and exercise –Use dieticians who work with diabetics –Liposuction of cutaneous fat is not the same as loss of visceral weight Richard S. Legro, MD, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey PCOS PG Course, ASRM, New Orleans, October 2006

PCOS Medications –BCPs may be better with thin patients that have normal HDL and SHBG –Metformin causes more nausea and weight loss than metformin-XL –Sibutrimine (Meridia ®) – for weight loss –Androgen receptor antagonists for hirsutism Spironolactone (Aldactone®) and Flutemide (Propecia®) Spironolactone (Aldactone®) and Flutemide (Propecia®) –Ketaconazole (Nizoral®) –Florinithine (Vaniqa®) cream

Letrozole and Clomiphene Birth Defects There is no increase in birth defects for letrozole or clomiphene if used when not pregnant. Letrozole associated with fewer birth defects than clomiphene but this is not statistically significant. Tulandi T. Fertil Steril 85:1761, 2006

PCOS Metformin Therapy – Long Term –Weight –Hyperandrogenism –Increases Fertility –Decreases Cardiac Disease –Decreases Diabetes Monitor –SHBG (decreased with PCO) –HDL (decreased with PCO) –2 Hour Glucose

Long Term Management BCPs may be better with a thin patient and normal HDL and SHBG

Conclusions PCOS Diagnosis –Somatic or Lab Hyperandrogenism –Oligo-anovulation –Polycystic Ovarian Morphology Exclude –Non-classical 17-hydroxylase deficiency, HAIRAN, adrenal tumor, Cushing’s, prolactinemia, thyroid disorders, hypothalamic amenorrhea PCOS Concepts –Decreased HDL and SHBG –LH/FSH ratio is not useful. Treatment –Weight loss, exercise, clomiphene, aromatase inhibitors, metformin, gonadotropins

Acknowledgement Dan C. Martin, MD, UTHSC, Memphis ASRM PCOS Course, New Orleans, 2006