The 'polycystic' in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) literally means 'many cysts'. Women with PCOS have lots of little cysts all over their ovaries. All women have cysts on their ovaries, but a woman with PCOS has about twice as many as a non-PCOS woman. These cysts are egg-containing follicles that have not developed properly.
PCOS runs in families (my mum was also a sufferer), and affects 5-10% of women, being one of the most common female reproductive or endocrine (glandular) disorders.
Symptoms of PCOS include irregular or absent periods, lack of ovulation and infertility, acne, excess hair growth, and trouble losing weight or weight gain.
A blood test and a pelvic ultrasound can help to diagnose. PCOS can be treated but not cured.
Treatments include the contraceptive pill (to regulate periods if not trying to conceive), Metformin (a diabetes drug prescribed off-label for PCOS), Provera (to establish a period), and Clomid (to induce ovulation if trying to conceive). I am a Clomid baby!!
Women with PCOS are at greater risk of developing type II diabetes.
Not all women with PCOS suffer with infertility, and not all women with PCOS will get all of the symptoms.
Women who struggle with weight gain alongside PCOS can often help alleviate the symptoms of PCOS by losing weight. A healthy and balanced diet also goes a long way towards helping with the symptoms.
For more information see the Wikipedia page, and Verity, the UK charity for PCOS sufferers.
A book I have found to be very helpful is 'The Ultimate PCOS Handbook' by Colette Harris and Theresa Cheung.
(With thanks to the Wikipedia page and the Verity website.)
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