What is the Origin of PCOS Gut Dysbiosis?

The term integrates the clinical diagnosis of PCOS, a disorder of the female reproductive and endocrine system, with the recent scientific understanding of the gut microbiome's systemic influence on metabolism and hormone regulation.

What is the Mechanism of PCOS Gut Dysbiosis?

Gut dysbiosis in PCOS can lead to increased intestinal permeability, allowing inflammatory bacterial products like lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to enter the circulation. This chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation exacerbates insulin resistance, which in turn drives ovarian hyperandrogenism, a hallmark of PCOS. Furthermore, altered gut flora may impair the proper excretion of estrogen metabolites, contributing to hormonal imbalances that further complicate the PCOS presentation.

PCOS Gut Dysbiosis ∞ Area

PCOS Gut Dysbiosis

Meaning

This clinical correlation describes the observed association between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism and metabolic dysfunction, and an imbalance in the gut microbial community, termed gut dysbiosis. The dysbiotic state is hypothesized to be a contributing factor to the inflammatory and insulin-resistant phenotype seen in many individuals with PCOS. Targeting the gut flora represents a novel therapeutic avenue for managing this complex condition.