Hormonal Dysregulation and Its Metabolic Correlates in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case-Control Study of LH, FSH and Insulin Resistance

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine metabolic disorder characterized by chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and insulin resistance, affecting women of reproductive age worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate key hormonal and metabolic alterations in women with PCOS by comparing luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) between affected women and healthy controls. A total of 400 women aged 18-45 years were enrolled in a hospital-based case control design, including 200 clinically diagnosed PCOS cases and 200 age-matched controls. Fasting blood samples were collected and analyzed for LH, FSH, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin using standardized chemiluminescent immunoassays, and insulin resistance was calculated using the HOMA-IR formula. The results demonstrated significantly elevated LH levels in PCOS subjects compared with controls, indicating altered hypothalamic pituitary regulation. FSH levels also differed significantly between the groups, reflecting possible population-specific endocrine variations. HOMA-IR values were markedly higher in the PCOS group, confirming substantial insulin resistance as a key metabolic feature of the disorder. Correlation analysis showed a positive association between LH and HOMA-IR and a negative association between FSH and HOMA-IR, highlighting the strong interaction between hormonal imbalance and metabolic dysfunction. These findings reinforce PCOS as a multifaceted condition driven by interconnected endocrine and metabolic mechanisms. The study emphasizes that early recognition of hormonal abnormalities and insulin resistance is essential for improving reproductive outcomes, preventing long-term metabolic complications, and guiding comprehensive clinical management in women with PCOS.