Features of hormoneal and metabolic homeostasis in women of reproductive age with functional ovarian cysts

In recent years, there has been an increased frequency of functional ovarian cysts (FOC), which is explained by both the influence of external and internal factors (harmful habits, ecology, endocrine diseases, obesity, vitamin D deficiency, mental, physical stress), and the general increase in gynecological morbidity in women of different ages. Currently, there is no consensus on the mechanism of FOC formation, and the relationship between FOC and fertility and ovarian reserve is being discussed. There are reports that young women with recurrent follicular cysts and menstrual disorders have low levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). However, to date, there is a lack of research on the relationship between FOC and reproductive health disorders, the state of hormonal and metabolic homeostasis in this group of women, and the questions of the need and scope of therapeutic approaches for patients with FOC remain debatable.The objective: to investigate the features of hormonal and metabolic homeostasis in women with FOC.Materials and methods. The study involved 110 women of reproductive age (19 to 44 years) with FOC. The complex examination included clinical and anthropometric examinations, transvaginal ultrasound examination (USE) on the 5th–7th day of the menstrual cycle (MC), determination of levels of gonadotropic (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin) hormones, ovarian steroid hormones (estradiol, free testosterone index, progesterone), thyroid-stimulating hormone and titer of antibodies to thyroperoxidase, AMH and 25(OH)D in serum.Results. FOC were found in 17.3% of women without any complaints, in 39.1% of patients with infertility, in 28.2% – with menstrual disorders and in 15.5% – with pelvic pain syndrome.Recurrences of FOC occurred in 36.7% of patients with follicular cysts and in 38.0% of women with corpus luteum cysts. Early menarche was more often observed in women with follicular cysts, while late menarche (after 15 years) was significantly more often observed in patients of the main groups compared to the control group. Menstrual dysfunction occurred in 40.65% of patients with FOC. Severe vitamin D deficiency was determined in 21.4% of women with FOC (mean level of 25(OH)D is 6.5 ± 3.4 ng/ml).AMH levels in patients with follicular ovarian cysts who underwent ovarian surgery or with recurrent FOC were significantly lower than in the control group. Subclinical hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 15.0% of patients with follicular cysts on the background of autoimmune thyroiditis. Analysis of the hormonal balance of patients with FOC showed heterogeneity and different directions of changes in the levels of gonadotropic and steroid hormones.Conclusions. Menstrual dysfunction was determined in 43.3% of patients with follicular ovarian cysts and in 38.0% with corpus luteum cysts. In patients with follicular ovarian cysts, irregular menstruation (33.3%), secondary amenorrhea (11.7%), heavy menstrual bleeding (8.3%) prevailed, while in patients with corpus luteum cysts, irregular menstruation (22.0%) and prolonged menstrual bleeding (30.0%) were more common.In patients with follicular ovarian cysts, there was a significant increased FSH level with a reduced LH level in blood serum on the 3rd–4th day of MC compared to the control group (p = 0.00001), and the LH/FSH ratio was 0.6 compared to 1.25 in the control group. In patients with corpus luteum cysts, no significant differences in FSH and LH concentrations from the control group were found. In 60% of patients with FOC, an increase in prolactin level up to 35 ng/ml in blood serum was determined.Unfavorable factor was the prevalence (43.8 ± 7.3%) of vitamin D deficiency (mean level of 25(OH)D 15.2 ± 4.1 ng/ml) and severe (21.4 ± 5.2%) vitamin D deficiency (mean level of 25(OH)D 6.5 ± 3.4 ng/ml) in patients with FOC.In patients with FOC without a history of ovarian surgery, serum AMH level did not significantly differ from those in the control group (5.3 ± 0.6 ng/ml), while in patients who had undergone ovarian surgery (2.2 ± 0.3 ng/ml) or had recurrences of FOC, AMH level was significantly lower (3.1 ± 0.2 ng/ml).