Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome isn’t a rare syndrome, but it is rarely discussed in mixed public. Why? The accompanying symptoms of the hormonal imbalance, thought to have a genetic component, can be very difficult for women to talk about and live with. Besides the pain of impaired fertility, many women also experience weight gain (sometimes extreme), acne, hair growing on their face, chest and shoulders, and some even begin to go bald. With the standard of female beauty in the U.S. being a fertile woman with a slender figure, lustrous hair, and nary a body hair visible, this makes many women affected by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome suffer in shame and silence. That’s unfortunate, because while it is about as common as breast cancer, and may prove to eventually be just as deadly (it’s been indicated in developing diabetes and heart disease), many women are reluctant to discuss it with their doctor.
The reason that silence about the syndrome is unfortunate is that there are good treatments available, including medications, such as metformin, which help lower insulin resistance. These medications may reduce symptoms, increase fertility, and lessen the risk of developing Type II Diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Women with PCOS often don’t ovulate, so they may not have regular periods, or no periods at all. This can cause a thickening of endometrial tissue that can lead to endometrial cancer, but there are medications available to help with that as well.
Some studies have shown that women may actually experience less symptoms and become more fertile as they age. The reasons for this are not completely understood, but it is helpful to remember that not all women with PCOS are overweight and childless. Instead, many opt for nutrition and diet therapy, with or without medication, which seems to boost fertility. This is likely due to the fact that insulin resistance is lowered, so androgens (male hormones) are not produced, allowing the woman’s natural menstrual cycle to return.
Many cases of PCOS show up in young teenage girls, but their concerns are overlooked or not recognized. The sooner that a woman receives a diagnosis and treatment, the sooner she can thwart health complications associated with PCOS. With ten percent of the female population experiencing PCOS, it is a public health problem that can be successfully identified and addressed. Many women only seek help when they are unable to become pregnant, but the problem is much larger than that – it can affect their heart health, cholesterol, even increase their risk of dementia, and cause them severe social anxiety.
Do you have PCOS? What have been your experiences? Have you sought treatment?
[photo by Huffington Post]
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: One in Ten Women Affected With Devastating Health Problem is an article from: The Inquisitr News
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