Pacer Pillowtalk: PCOS Awareness Month
September is PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) awareness month.
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that is common among women of the reproductive age (12 to 51).
Those with PCOS can have infrequent or prolonged menstrual cycles, high levels of male hormones (androgens), and collections of small fluid filled pustules in their ovaries can lead to irregularly releasing an egg during a menstrual cycle. Signs and symptoms of PCOS are generally more severe if the patient is obese.
Doctors have not been able to find the exact cause of PCOS, but factors that may play a role in the syndrome may include excess insulin, low grade inflammation of the white blood cells, heredity or excess androgen.
PCOS can lead to a number of health problems:
infertility
gestational diabetes
miscarriage
liver inflammation
sleep apnea
depression
anxiety
eating disorders
abnormal uterine bleeding
endometrial cancer
metabolic difficulties.
