Polycystic Ovarian Syndrom (PCOS)

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. PCOS is a serious condition which can affect a woman in a number of areas, including her hormones, fertility, heart, blood pressure, insulin production, blood vessels and appearance. Women who have PCOS have high levels of androgens. They have an irregular menstrual cycle or no menstrual cycle. They typically have fluid-filled sacs, called cysts, on their ovaries. PCOS is the most common hormonal reproductive problem in women of childbearing age. Somewhere between 5 and 10% of women of childbearing age have PCOS.

There is no single test to diagnose PCOS. Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. This exam may include an ultrasound, checking your hormone levels, and measure glucose levels in the blood. At the physical exam the doctor will want to evaluate the areas of increased hair growth, so try to allow the natural hair growth for a few days before the visit. During a pelvic exam, the ovaries may be enlarged or swollen by the increased number of small cysts. This can be seen more easily by vaginal ultrasound, or screening, to examine the ovaries for cysts and the endometrium. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. The uterine lining may become thicker if there has not been a regular period.

Symptoms of PCOS may include:

- infertility due to not ovulating
- acne, oily skin or dandruff
- type 2 diabetes
- pelvic pain
- excessive snoring and breathing stops while sleeping
- sleep apnea
- high blood pressure
- infrequent or no periods
- irregular bleeding
- increased growth of hair, including hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
- weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
- high cholesterol
- male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
- patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
- skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area

Helpful sites:

Soul Cysters

PCOSupport

Infertility Physicion Explanation of PCOS - This is one of the best explanations of PCOS that I have ever found. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) FAQ - A thourough FAQ for PCOS. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) - Frequently Asked Questions Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - PCOS Research and its Findings SoulCysters Online Community - The largest online community of women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association - Women with PCOS helping others. WebMD's explanation of PCOS - A thorough explanation of PCOS and what steps need to be taken. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Harvard's Medical School's Explanation of PCOS. Disease Profile of PCOS - Distinguishing the different types of PCOS PCOS Diagnostic Lab Tests - Lab tests that should be done for pcos diagnosis. Hormone Levels & Fertility Bloodwork Chart - Information Written by Patients, for Patients. Information about PCOS and its effects on your health - A site with lots of information on healing and reversing the effects of Insulin Resistance. Insulin Resistance Syndrome - Insulin Resistance Information. Thin-PCOS Information - Article about Metformin and Clomid for thin "cysters". Treating PCOS - Current Trends Project PCOS - Awareness, Information, and Support for PCOS TTC with PCOS - Personal web page to help understand and treat PCOS Metformin: A Beginner's Guide - Understanding the Benefits of Metformin Metformin (Glucophage) - Benefits & Side Effects - Great Explanation of the Benefits and Side Effects of Metformin & Glucophage for PCOS. The Power of Cinnamon - A research article stating the correlation in cinnamon consumption and reducing insulin resistance. Clomid vs. Femera - Comparing the two medications for the use of infertility WebMD's Progesterone Test - Great Explanation of the Benefits and Side Effects of Progesterone for PCOS. About Progesterone - Progesterone Effects on the Female Body. Androgen Deficiency in Women - Review of the Subject PCOS: Increased Risk of Cancer - The relationship of endometrial cancer and PCOS Letter to Doctors and Patients - Phytotherapy (Herbal Therapy) for polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS Coach - Understanding and Treating PCOS PCOS - Dealing Day-to-Day Breastfeeding and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) - Articles concerning the effects of PCOS on breastfeeding. PCOS and Breastfeeding - A Chat with a researcher concerning her findings on the effects of PCOS on breastfeeding. Breastfeeding and PCOS - Living and Feeding With Low Milk Supply. Breastfeeding and PCOS - Learning How to Breastfeed with PCOS. The Way We Live Now - A PCOS Diagnosis

Book Recommendations:

• A Patient's Guide to PCOS - Walter Futterweit
• PCOS and Your Fertility - Colette Harris
• The Savvy Woman's Guide to PCOS - Elizabeth Lee Vliet
• PCOS: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - The Hidden Epidemic - Samuel Thatcher
• What to Do When the Doctor Says It's PCOS - Milton Hammerly
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Fighting Back! - Angela Kay Dotson
• PCOS: A Woman's Guide to Dealing with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Colette Harris
• Living with PCOS - Richard S. Legro
• New Glucose Revolution Guide to Living Well with PCOS - Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller
• The Insulin-Resistance Diet - Cheryle R. Hart M.D.
• The Low GI Diet Revolution - Dr. Jennie Brand-Miller
• The PCOS Diet Book - Colette Harris