Ovarian function and obesity-Interrelationship, impact on women's reproductive lifespan and treatment options

Insulin resistance (IR) is a consequence of obesity, and in women it is often inextricably linked with ovarian function leading to clinical reproductive manifestations such as early menarche onset, subfertility and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Likewise, the dramatic fall in oestrogen production after menopause may contribute to weight gain and changes in adipose tissue distribution. Overall, women who are obese, especially those with reproductive complications including PCOS, have been identified as specific high risk subgroups for further progression through to prediabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and potentially cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review focuses on the interrelationship between the ovarian function and obesity as well as its treatment strategies. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.