Study to Assess Potential Impairments in Estradiol Augmentation of Gonadotropin Secretion in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
The purpose of this study is to determine if estradiol augmentation of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion secretion (primary endpoint) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion (secondary endpoint) is reduced in adult women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
• PCOS group: post-pubertal (\> 4 years post-menarche) adult woman aged 18-30 years with PCOS, defined as clinical and/or laboratory evidence of hyperandrogenism (hirsutism and/or elevated serum \[calculated\] free testosterone concentration) plus ovulatory dysfunction (irregular menses, fewer than 9 per year), but without evidence for other potential causes of hyperandrogenism and/or ovulatory dysfunction
• Control group: post-pubertal (\> 4 years post-menarche) adult woman aged 18-30 years with regular menstrual periods (every 26-35 days) and no evidence of hyperandrogenism (i.e., no hirsutism, normal serum \[calculated\] free testosterone concentration)
• General good health (excepting overweight, obesity, PCOS, and adequately-treated hypothyroidism)
• Capable of and willing to provide informed consent
• Willing to strictly avoid pregnancy with use of reliable non-hormonal methods during the study period