Diagnosis
In Stein-Leventhal syndrome, ultrasound (sonography) and laboratory (hormone determination in the blood; androgen/LH) are used for clarification. However, the medical history (questioning of the patient) is also important here. This is because disorders and the course of puberty and the menstrual cycle as well as unwanted childlessness can already be signs of this disease. Likewise, during the examinations, attention can be paid to whether untypical features (extreme hair growth in the pubic area and face), obesity and hair loss can be detected.
Therapy
Which therapy is used for Stein Leventhal Syndrome depends on whether the desire to have children still exists. If the woman has completed family planning, the contraceptive pill can be used to suppress androgen production. At the same time, this leads to a regular menstrual cycle in Stein Leventhal syndrome and brings the hormone balance back into order.
However, if you still want to have children, the ovarian function must usually be stimulated. One first tries to reduce the androgen increase. In this case, women are given low doses of cortisone to reduce the formation of androgens in the adrenal glands.
At the same time, if a normal menstrual cycle does not set in, one tries to trigger ovulation with medication. Clomiphene (anti-estrogen) is used for this purpose. If this clomiphene therapy does not help with Stein Leventhal syndrome, ovulation can be stimulated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
If diabetes mellitus is also present, an attempt is made to reduce this with a blood sugar-lowering agent (e.g. metformin) and a change in diet should also be made. In principle, androgen-producing ovarian tissue or cysts can be removed surgically by laparoscopy.
