Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a pervasive and complex endocrine disorder. Normally, Gonadotropin releasing hormone stimulates the anterior pituitary to release Gonadotropins like Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH). LH helps in formation of corpus luteum and FSH helps in the growth and maturation of graffian follicles, the matured follicle releases estrogen. Estrogen is the key hormone in female body which is responsible for bringing about Ovulation, secondary sexual characters, bone development, fusion of epiphyseal ends of long bone, excessive vaginal secretions etc.  What happens in women with PCOS? Women suffering with polycystic ovarian syndrome have excessive levels of LH secretion. Elevated levels of LH gives rise to the excessive levels of androgens (testosterone) and low FSH levels, both leads to substandard development of eggs and an impotency to ovulate. If ovulation does not occur it leads to shortage of progesterone production which inturn leads to the absence of menstrual periods. Elevated Androgen levels or also called as Hyperandrogenism is seen in women with PCOS which causes hirsutism (hair growth on face region, around nipples and in chest region), irregular ovulation or absence of ovulation which can be also termed as Anovulation, infertility etc.  Symptoms Include: Anovulation or absence of menstrual periods  Hirsutism  Infertility  Obesity  Multiple cysts in the ovaries  Diabetes  Acne  Alopecia Causes for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome may be due to genetic or environmental problems, abnormality in metabolism of androgens and estrogens, abnormality in production of androgen and abnormal function of hypothalamic-pituitary ovarian axis. Women with PCOS have decreased estrogen levels and increased testosterone levels, due to this they suffer from irregular menstrual cycles, pelvic pain, sometimes infertility and also hirsutism. Besides high levels of testosterone, women with PCOS show Lessened expression of the (ERβ) Beta Estrogen receptor.

Keywords : Phytoestrogen, ERβ, Hyperandrogenism, Isoflavones, PCOS, Anovulation.