PCOS
PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, though I have seen it referred to as Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome. PCOS is getting more recognition these days as more women are finding out they are diagnosed with it. Most women don’t find out they have PCOS until they are unable to have a child and go to a specialist.
PCOS is a syndrome that encompasses a few problems in the women’s body, all related to hormones. Women suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome will have higher levels of male hormones called androgens, thick facial hair such as a mustache and thick hair on the cheeks and chin, an irregular or no period, and cysts on the ovaries. The majority of women with PCOS also have a weight problem. About 5 to 10% of all women have PCOS.
There is no genetic link for developing PCOS though many women also have a mother or sister with the syndrome. The majority of women with PCOS do not even know they have it though. Medical research is still ongoing as to the cause of PCOS but doctors do know it is related to insulin as women with PCOS make too much insulin. Too much insulin in the blood causes the ovaries to produce too much of the male hormones which in turn cause the excessive facial hair, acne, weight gain and infertility.
The reason women with PCOS have problems with infertility is that normally every month an egg matures and is released from an ovary. With PCOS no egg is fully matured and so they stay on as cysts on the ovary never being released. There is no ovulation and the female hormone progesterone is never produced. Without progesterone the period or menstrual cycle does not occur either. The multiple cysts on the ovaries produce male hormones as well also preventing ovulation.
Unfortunately there is no one test to diagnose PCOS. Some doctors may not even listen to your concerns. If that is the case find another doctor or wait till more symptoms develop and then go back. Your gynecologist is the correct specialist to see for a diagnosis of PCOS. My own doctor, a woman even, ignored my concerns about PCOS as I had all the symptoms except an irregular menstrual cycle. It wasn’t until my periods quit completely that she took my concerns seriously. Don’t give up hope if you think you have PCOS. There is help!