PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
... the syndrome that can shorten your life!

Approximately 3.5 to 5 million American women have this serious metabolic disorder. that is about 1 in 10 women! It is often overlooked, misdiagnosed, ignored, or undertreated. PCOS wreaks havoc with our health and our femininity.

Do you have trouble losing weight, no matter how hard you try? Is your weight centered around your midsection? Have you been told that you have cysts on your ovaries? Are your menses absent or irregular? Are you bothered with excess hair on your face or thinning hair on your scalp? Is acne present? Is your blood pressure higher than normal? Have you had trouble getting pregnant? Do you have elevated insulin levels? Any and all of these can be symptomatic of PCOS.

The need for a diagnosis becomes clear when the effects of this disease are known. Irregular or absent menses can lead to uterine cancer or infertility because of the lack of normal function. High blood pressure can lead to stroke or heart disease. Elevated insulin levels due to insulin resistance, a situation that occurs when your body does not use the insulin it produces and therefore keeps on making more, leads to diabetes. There are numerous drugs that can help. For irregular menses, very often the doctor will prescribe birth control pills to regulate the hormone production to a normal level. For insulin resistance, insulin sensitizing drugs such as metformin, are often prescribed. A study by John Nestler, M.D., chairman of endocrinology at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, found that similar drugs induced ovulation in 86% of PCOS women, which increased their fertility and reduced their triglyceride levels and blood pressure. There are answers to and treatments for this serious medical problem.

Seeking the care of a physician well versed in this condition is imperative. Be proactive in your health needs. Research this disease if you suspect you or someone you know has it. A good place to start is on the web at the PCOS website, www.pcosupport.org. This site has a wealth of information about PCOS, up to date information on current drug treatments and results, and chat rooms that help you understand that you are not alone. Taking care of the cosmetic symptoms such as excess hair and acne is also important to your self esteem. Seek out a permanent solution for your hair problem with a board certified electrologist and a concerned dermatologist for your acne. This disease assaults women on many levels. Don't let another day go by without taking control of your health and your life.