Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Brain Disorder Characterized by Eating Problems Originating during Puberty and Adolescence
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine condition associated with reproductive and psychiatric disorders, and with obesity. Eating disorders, such as bulimia and recurrent dieting, are also linked to PCOS. They can lead to the epigenetic dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-11-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/21/8211 |
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| author | Régine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen Rosalieke E. Wiegel Pauline W. Jansen Joop S. E. Laven Kevin D. Sinclair |
| author_facet | Régine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen Rosalieke E. Wiegel Pauline W. Jansen Joop S. E. Laven Kevin D. Sinclair |
| author_sort | Régine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine condition associated with reproductive and psychiatric disorders, and with obesity. Eating disorders, such as bulimia and recurrent dieting, are also linked to PCOS. They can lead to the epigenetic dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, thereby impacting on ovarian folliculogenesis. We postulate that PCOS is induced by psychological distress and episodes of overeating and/or dieting during puberty and adolescence, when body dissatisfaction and emotional distress are often present. We propose that upregulated activation of the central HPG axis during this period can be epigenetically altered by psychological stressors and by bulimia/recurrent dieting, which are common during adolescence and which can lead to PCOS. This hypothesis is based on events that occur during a largely neglected stage of female reproductive development. To date, most research into the origins of PCOS has focused on the prenatal induction of this disorder, particularly in utero androgenization and the role of anti-Müllerian hormone. Establishing causality in our peripubertal model requires prospective cohort studies from infancy. Mechanistic studies should consider the role of the gut microbiota in addition to the epigenetic regulation of (neuro) hormones. Finally, clinicians should consider the importance of underlying chronic psychological distress and eating disorders in PCOS. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:08:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9c9f80a1b6b84c3db7c783e269e4a9bd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T15:08:16Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-9c9f80a1b6b84c3db7c783e269e4a9bd2023-11-20T19:35:18ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672020-11-012121821110.3390/ijms21218211Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Brain Disorder Characterized by Eating Problems Originating during Puberty and AdolescenceRégine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen0Rosalieke E. Wiegel1Pauline W. Jansen2Joop S. E. Laven3Kevin D. Sinclair4Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The NetherlandsSchool of Biosciences, Sutton Bonnington Campus, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire LE12 6HD, UKPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine condition associated with reproductive and psychiatric disorders, and with obesity. Eating disorders, such as bulimia and recurrent dieting, are also linked to PCOS. They can lead to the epigenetic dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, thereby impacting on ovarian folliculogenesis. We postulate that PCOS is induced by psychological distress and episodes of overeating and/or dieting during puberty and adolescence, when body dissatisfaction and emotional distress are often present. We propose that upregulated activation of the central HPG axis during this period can be epigenetically altered by psychological stressors and by bulimia/recurrent dieting, which are common during adolescence and which can lead to PCOS. This hypothesis is based on events that occur during a largely neglected stage of female reproductive development. To date, most research into the origins of PCOS has focused on the prenatal induction of this disorder, particularly in utero androgenization and the role of anti-Müllerian hormone. Establishing causality in our peripubertal model requires prospective cohort studies from infancy. Mechanistic studies should consider the role of the gut microbiota in addition to the epigenetic regulation of (neuro) hormones. Finally, clinicians should consider the importance of underlying chronic psychological distress and eating disorders in PCOS.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/21/8211PCOSemotional disturbancepsychological stressnutritioneating disordersDNA methylation |
| spellingShingle | Régine P. M. Steegers-Theunissen Rosalieke E. Wiegel Pauline W. Jansen Joop S. E. Laven Kevin D. Sinclair Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Brain Disorder Characterized by Eating Problems Originating during Puberty and Adolescence International Journal of Molecular Sciences PCOS emotional disturbance psychological stress nutrition eating disorders DNA methylation |
| title | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Brain Disorder Characterized by Eating Problems Originating during Puberty and Adolescence |
| title_full | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Brain Disorder Characterized by Eating Problems Originating during Puberty and Adolescence |
| title_fullStr | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Brain Disorder Characterized by Eating Problems Originating during Puberty and Adolescence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Brain Disorder Characterized by Eating Problems Originating during Puberty and Adolescence |
| title_short | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Brain Disorder Characterized by Eating Problems Originating during Puberty and Adolescence |
| title_sort | polycystic ovary syndrome a brain disorder characterized by eating problems originating during puberty and adolescence |
| topic | PCOS emotional disturbance psychological stress nutrition eating disorders DNA methylation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/21/8211 |
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