Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a humiliating condition affecting many women, which can result in masculine traits such as excessive hair growth on the face and other unseemly areas. Even male-pattern baldness.

PCOS gets its name from the small ovarian cysts commonly seen, affecting one in 15 women worldwide. Australian researchers believe PCOS will increase with rising obesity rates.

Some researchers believe that weight gain produces a kind of build up of insulin, increasing the production of male hormones known as androgens. Symptoms can be treated with birth control, fertility medications and diabetes medications to avert extra male hormones. Lifestyle changes should also be made with healthy eating and regular exercise.

Robert Norman, one of the authors of the medical journal The Lancet, says, "While the exact cause of PCOS isn't clear, obesity is a major risk factor for the condition. It's a condition that's relatively silent when you're thin," he said, "But as people go from being thin to being overweight, it suddenly becomes visible."

Christine DeZarn, who was diagnosed with PCOS 16 years ago, said, "Not only is it embarrassing, it hurts psychologically. It attacks everything that makes a woman feminine."

Richard Hellman, president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, said, "A PCOS diagnosis can be good news. All of these problems- the acne, the body hair, the changes in menstruation- are connected to a condition that is fairly common. When you understand it's a problem- that it's common, it's not the mark of Cain- I think there's a palpable sense of relief."

A condition like Polycystic ovary syndrome can understandably make a woman feel as if she bears a curse from God. Realistically speaking though, it's not likely. If your condition were from God, likely as not, it would be more like the apostle Paul's "thorn in the flesh," a messenger of Satan sent to buffet him- to keep him humble.

Nevertheless, research is ongoing and new treatments are being discovered to help fight Polycystic ovary syndrome. Meanwhile, Jesus Christ is still Lord. Paul prayed three times that his "thorn in the flesh" be taken away, yet it remained. And since the Lord wouldn't deliver the great apsotle Paul from whatever condition he was suffering, there must be a good reason. The same applies to us today.

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2Cor. 12:7)