title: Postmenopausal hyperthecosis: functional dysregulation of androgenesis in climacteric ovary.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hyperandrogenism of ovarian origin is rare in postmenopausal women. However, there is evidence that the ovaries of postmenopausal women are active endocrine glands, secreting mainly androgens.
  
  
  METHODS
  A postmenopausal woman sought treatment for progressive hirsutism. Endocrine evaluation revealed androgen excess. Transvaginal ultrasound revealed enlarged ovaries. Hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy were recommended. However, surgery had to be withheld for 6 months while the patient recovered from an acute myocardial infarction. In the interim, the patient's hyperandrogenemia was successfully treated with monthly injections of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH), leuprolide acetate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report illustrates the potential for postmenopausal ovaries to become active androgen-secreting endocrine organs. It also demonstrates the efficacy of pharmacologic intervention for postmenopausal ovarian hyperthecosis when the patient is a poor surgical candidate.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krug
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Berga
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017698:Postmenopause
chemical_list: D016729:Leuprolide