So about a week or so ago I found out I had been diagnosed with PCOS, aka Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Turns out I had been diagnosed a few years ago in my medical records, but the doctors failed to actually TELL me (we'll leave that one for a later blog). PCOS is defined by Wikipedia.com as "an endocrine disorder that affects approximately 10% of all women .[1] It occurs amongst all races and nationalities, is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, and is a leading cause of infertility."
Sweet. Since age 17 I knew I had some sort of problems with my hormones, so I saw an endocrinologist for more help. Upon studying my symptoms and blood levels, she diagnosed me with a hormonal imbalance, not PCOS, and prescribed me birth control. Then I was on my way. Fast forward five years and I find out a local Planned Parenthood that I was formally diagnosed with PCOS somewhere along the line. Even though sometimes I wondered, I prayed I didn't have it. Well, I do and now I'm trying to figure out what to do with it.
I've been researching the causes (most unknown) and finding a LOT of explanations for all these symptoms I had been experiencing for years: irregular periods, acne, depression, and some other cool, unpleasant physical attributes. It also turns out that PCOS is the leading cause of infertility. When I first heard this it scared the ever-living crap out of me. No babies?? Even at 22-years-old my biological clock ticks and tocks until I change a diaper at the preschool that employs me. I know for sure I want children, just in a few more years....maybe more.
In women with PCOS, ovaries have follicles that mature, but don't release the egg like a normal ovary. The result is ovarian cysts and no ovulation, which prevents a woman from getting pregnant. A lot of complications that can associate with PCOS are:
-high blood pressure
-diabetes
-cardiovascular disease
-cancers
-infertility
-and many, MANY more!
I did read on to find that it is getting easier for women with PCOS to conceive. There are a lot of fertility treatments that help, and if PCOS is diagnosed at an earlier age, it can be managed naturally with a radical change in diet and exercise. By improving my lifestyle, I can manage my sugar metabolism which is related to PCOS and alleviate major symptoms which cause infertility.
So, I guess there is hope. Although I'm still a bit upset, I'm doing my best to change my diet and walk around town some more.
Also, I read that 5-10% of the female population is affected by PCOS....whether they know it or not. Scary huh? I hope this little nugget of blog information has informed some people, and maybe helped some other chicas. Read up on it, it could help someone you know!!
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
Informative blog. I have never even heard of that before. I have had irregular periods most my life but I started my period when I was only 11 years old. I had to go on birthcontrol because I would turn into a monster.
This PCOS seems like it can easily be confused with PMSD. That sucks that your doctor never told you...I hate doctors and I definately understand about them not telling people things, or messing shit up.
:)
http://www.progressiveu.org/032913-lupus-uncureable-wait-what
Love comments? I do too!
A friend of mine has this, and what's frustrating is that her partner has a DIFFERENT kind of infertility. It has taken them years to figure it out, but no one has said they should look into adoption, so they are still spending TONS of money on artificial insemination that probably won't work, because no one is talking to them about how to fix it. Do you have any resources about the alternatives, the metabolism thing, etc? I'd love to know more about what they're going through.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
a great site: www.pcosupport.org
You can become a member for a fee, but I use the discussion boards and stuff for free. Just make a basic profile and you can post questions and read about other people going through similar problems. There's a HUGE section to do with Women and Fertility. I've read about a lot of women who were told they would never conceive and have one or more kids now!
Definitely send them the site, it's worth looking into!
Times flies like the wind; fruit flies like a banana.
That's a fantastic resource! I will refer them. They are a couple who NEEDS to have children. They'll just be the best moms ever!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Hey no problem! I hope they get some great use out of it ;-)
Times flies like the wind; fruit flies like a banana.
There was a show on Midmorning on NPR today about PCOS and how diet and insulin resistance affects it! I'm like whoa.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I have that too.
I've not been formally diagnosed..because i couldn't handle the trans-vaginal ultrasound...(sorry if that was a tmi)
so, i never really found out...but, im pretty sure i have it, and the dr.'s think so too...
this was a good blog...i didnt know it caused that much! >.<
lol, but oh well, I'll live. haha!
Thanks for posting this!