JustJulie

First of all "atrophic," simply means a wasting or decrease in size of a body organ, tissue, or part owing to disease, injury, or lack of use. The "endometrium," is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus and builds up and sheds each month in the menstrual cycle. At 2 mm that is very thin, which is the cause of your bleeding problems. Age and weight play a role as well.
An ovarian follicle is that little cavity that grows an egg set for release at mid-cycle, or ovulation. The ovarian follicle is both a result of and an integral part of the menstrual cycle. It contains a little puddle of fluid that functions in the development of the egg. The release of the egg, called ovulation, is a midpoint in the cycle. If ovulation fails to occur, the rest of the cycle is often suspended or irregular. The follicle is therefore a product of function, a word which will figure importantly below.

When a follicle gets to be bigger than about two centimeters or so, semantics dictate that it be referred to as a cyst. That's the differencesemantics. Of course, a cyst can be thought of as an exaggerated follicle, but it is still a matter of normal functioning.

** takes a breather

Polycystic ovary disease is characterized by enlarged ovaries with multiple small cysts, an abnormally high number of follicles at various states of maturation, and a thick, scarred capsule surrounding each ovary.Polycystic ovary disease is an endocrine disorder, which means normal hormone cycles are interrupted. Hormones direct many functions throughout the body. For example, hormones regulate reproductive functions, including the normal development of eggs in the ovaries. It is not completely understood why or how hormone cycles are interrupted, although there are several working theories.

In polycystic ovary disease, under-developed follicles accumulate in the ovaries. Follicles are sacs within the ovaries that contain eggs. The eggs in these follicles do not mature and, therefore, cannot be released from the ovaries. Instead, they accumulate as cysts in the ovary. This can contribute to infertility. The lack of follicle maturation and the inability to ovulate are likely caused by low levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ,and higher-than-normal levels of androgens (male hormones), produced in the ovary.

Insulin resistance also seems to be a key feature in polycystic ovarian syndrome. In addition to other hormones, insulin helps regulate ovarian function. When someone is insulin resistant, this means that cells throughout the body do not readily respond to the insulin circulating in the blood. For this reason, the amount of insulin remains high in the blood (hyperinsulinemia). High levels of insulin can contribute to lack of ovulation, high androgen levels, infertility, and early pregnancy loss.

Polycystic ovaries are two to five times larger than normal ovaries, and they have a white, thick, tough outer covering. Women are usually diagnosed when in their 20s or 30s.

Many women with polycystic ovary disease have irregular periodsWomen diagnosed with this disorder frequently have a mother or sister with similar symptoms commonly associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).





Symptoms

If you have polycystic ovary disease, you are likely to experience some of the following symptoms:

Abnormal, irregular, or scanty (very light or infrequent) menstrual periods
Absent periods , usually (but not always) after having one or more normal menstrual periods during puberty (secondary amenorrhea)
Weight gain, even obesity
Insulin resistance and diabetes
Infertility
Increased hair growth;

Virilization -- development of male sex characteristics in a female. This may include :
an increase in body hair,
facial hair,
a deepening of the voice,
male-pattern baldness,
and clitoral enlargement.
Decreased breast size
Aggravation of acne



A long responce..sorry.