Nursing Case Study Alicia V.

Alicia V., based on her symptoms, is diagnosed with PCOS. This is based on the findings that she is experiencing weight gain, unwanted hair growth, acne, a normal external genitalia, cervix, and vagina, and amenorrhea. Alicia has secondary amenorrhea because she has high levels of prolactin, which suppress GnRH and FSH. This is demonstrated by her low FSH levels. Alicia has hirsutism as insulin producing cells are overactive and create too much insulin. This increase in insulin causes her ovaries to produce too much testosterone. Elevated LH also stimulates overproduction of androgens. The increase in the excess androgens, including testosterone, causes Alicia to exhibit male pattern hair growth. In an ultrasound of Alicia’s ovaries, you would