I just wanted to take a moment to let you all know that September Is National Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month. PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Many women will go undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or undertreated.
Though it is not known what causes PCOS, it is believed that the body's fat fails to communicate with Leptin, and Insulin, creating massive production of insulin, and weight gain. The insulin bathes the ovaries, enlarging them, and causing cysts. This also causes the ovaries to produce massive amounts of androgens. A myriad of complications happen in PCOS, from hairloss and hirsutism, to infertility, and Type 2 Diabetes, and Cardiovacular Disease.
If you present any of these symptoms:
- Infrequent menstrual period and/or irregular bleeding
- Infertility because of not ovulating
- Increased growth of hair on face/body
- Acne, oily skin, or dandruff
- Pelvic pain
- Weight gain or obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
- Darkened skin on neck, arms, breasts, or thighs (Acanthosis Nigricans)
- Skin tags
Please talk to your Endocrinologist about PCOS. If you suspect your child may have some of these symptoms... Please, please... Talk to your Endocrinologist about PCOS. Early detection can be the key in avoiding further complications.
I have PCOS... and I sure wish I would have known soooo much of this, sooner.