Phrase of the day

[gsh]

Today's new phrase is "ovarian overstimulation syndrome".

Comments

[reedrover]

Bwa? That sounds PAINFUL!

[gsh]

I have it from a reliable source that it is indeed painful.

[chesuli.livejournal.com]

:( Not a phrase one ever wants to have to learn.

[geminigirl]

Overstimulation? I've heard it called "hyperstimulation"-had a conversation with my doctor about that not long ago when discussing Clomid.

[gsh]

Yea, hyperstimulation was the correct word.

[nminusone.livejournal.com]

Interesting... I can kinda see that happening as the HP axis tries to compensate, driving up FSH and LH. I'm guessing it'd be like a chemically induced form of PCOS? I never thought about this before because all my experience with SERMs is in men, where this issue is relatively rare. ;)

[gsh]

I have no idea what you just said.

were you even asking for clarification? ;)

[nminusone.livejournal.com]

Clomid (a SERM, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator) blocks estrogen receptors, so the hypothalamus thinks estrogen levels are low. It signals the pituitary to make FSH and LH, which stimulate the ovaries to make more estrogen. I'm *guessing* too much FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and/or LH (lutenizing hormone) are related to PCOS. This would explain why estrogens suppress PCOS - if hypothalamus sees lots of estrogen it stimulates the ovaries less.

I glossed over the details so don't take this too literally...