Could I Have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder characterized by high levels of androgens, missed or irregular periods and many small fluid-filled sacs or cysts in the ovaries. You might also hear PCOS referred to as Polycystic Ovarian Disease or Stein-Leventhal Syndrome. It is one of the leading causes of infertility and the causes of Polycystic Ovaries are still unknown. Although the syndrome is incurable, the symptoms are treatable with medication, changes to diet and exercise and several "alternative" or complimentary health practices such as acupuncture and herbal prescriptions. In addition, PCOS has been linked with insulin resistance or sensitivity and many women coping with it have seen marked improvement in their symptoms after receiving treatment to regulate their insulin.

Do I have PCOS?
How to tell.

This is a short list of some of the most common symptoms. Please note: None of these symptoms alone indicate PCOS, but the combination of them is very common for women who it. Even if you do not have PCOS, the presence of many of these symptoms indicate some kind of hormonal or endocrine imbalance and it would be wise to see a health professional and discuss them anyway.

Do you have irregular or missed periods?
Everyone who has PCOS reports infrequent or missing periods, excessively long or heavy periods, irregular bleeding between periods or a pattern of menstruating that is unusual (i.e. only having a period every 2 or 3 months). Any of these could be a sign that something is not right with your hormones.

Do you suffer from persistent acne?
Women with PCOS frequently have acne that won't go away even with over-the-counter or prescribed acne medication. Sometimes the acne is cystic, meaning that painful and large bumps appear under the skin and take a few days to go away, rather than having whiteheads or blackheads form and what appears to be a normal clogged pore or pimple.

Do you suffer from infertility?
Especially if you find that these other symptoms apply to you, PCOS may be the cause of your infertility.

Do you have hair growth on your chin, chest, back, upper lip?
Hirsutism, or the condition of having excess male-pattern hair growth, is often caused by excess androgens and is commonly a symptom that women with PCOS experience.

Do you have skin discoloration on your neck, breasts, arms or thighs?
Patches of darkened, brown or blackish skin in the crease of your neck, inside of thighs and other areas that don't go away, despite washing or scrubbing are indicative of hormonal imbalance and common for sufferers of PCOS.

Are you overweight or obese and have noticed specific weight gain around your midsection?
Almost all women with PCOS are overweight and have experience sudden, quick or unexplained weight gain around their midsection. In addition, most also have flaps or pockets of skin and fat that develop in their armpit area or around their neck.

Other accompanying symptoms include: Migraines, Depression, Insomnia, Fatigue, Swelling of the legs and feet, Male-pattern baldness or thinning of the hair, Anxiety, High Cholesterol or Blood Pressure and Sleep Apnea.
As mentioned before, these symptoms are frequently associated with other conditions and are NOT necessarily indicative of PCOS. However, spotting several or all of them in addition to answering "Yes" to the other six questions would strongly indicate that you might have PCOS.

Now What?
If you think that you might have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome you should see your gynecologist as soon as possible. It would be helpful if you write down some information to bring with you to discuss with your doctor, some things to consider are:

-What symptoms you have identified and how long you have been suffering from them.
-Any changes in symptoms over time.
-Approximately when and how often you have menstruated over the past year.
-If you are on any medication that may be causing symptoms as side-effects.
-Doing some homework ahead of time. There are several reputable health websites and reference books out there that can provide you with more in-depth information about PCOS. The more you know, the easier it will be for you to discuss your symptoms and options with your health care provider. And this is true of any condition, not just PCOS. You are your best ally in health care by being well-informed!

If you are seeing a new doctor, you should contact your insurance company or health care provider to locate a gynecologist who is a specialist or has some experience with PCOS or hormonal and endocrine disorders. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is relatively new on the radar of mainstream American health care providers. Not every doctor has had experience treating it or even knows a lot about it, yet. Starting out, it would be best to find a provider with direct experience with the disorder, who will be able to correctly diagnose you and prescribe appropriate treatment. Do not be afraid to seek a second opinion if you don't feel as if you have received adequate attention. Doctors are sometimes busy and can make mistakes or misdiagnose. If it is an affordable option for you, you should request an ultrasound be taken, in order to diagnose you, since it clearly can show if your ovaries have cysts.

If you do get diagnosed, there are several ways to adapt or change your lifestyle to aid in your own treatment. Many women with PCOS have found radical changes in diet and exercise have helped them to control their systems and have a better quality of life. There are several support groups, forums and message boards out there for you to join to get advice, tips and emotional support in dealing with this syndrome. Even though there is no cure, remember that you are not alone and you can treat this! You don't need to suffer from all or any of your symptoms forever. With help from health care professionals, many treatment options and a supportive community, you can educate yourself and figure out how best to live with PCOS and begin taking steps towards better overall health!