What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine (hormonal) disorder in women of reproductive age. This disorder is a “syndrome” which is defined as having a set of symptoms. PCOS is a collection of symptoms related to infrequent ovulation, characterized by irregular menstrual periods and evidence of excess androgens (male hormones), which can cause excessive facial hair growth, acne, and/or male-pattern baldness. Women with PCOS may or may not have many small cysts in their ovaries. PCOS is a health problem that affects a woman’s menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. This syndrome was originally named Stein-Leventhal Syndrome in recognition of the two physicians who, in 1935, first described the condition. Other names for PCOS include hyperandrogenic chronic anovulation and functional ovarian hyperandrogenism.
Polycystic (pah-lee-SIS-tik) ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. With PCOS, women typically have: • high levels of androgens (AN-druh-junz). These are sometimes called male hormones, although females also make them. • missed or irregular periods • many small cysts (sists) in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), sometimes called Polycystic Ovarian Disease, is a hormonal disorder that affects between 6 to 10% of women. PCOS causes the ovaries to produce higher than normal amounts of androgens (male hormones). This interferes with egg production. The eggs that the ovaries normally produce develop into cysts, little sacs filled with liquid. Instead of being released during ovulation, as an egg would be released, the cysts build up in the ovaries and can become enlarged. PCOS can also affect many systems in the body and have long-term health consequences.
We are just about to publish an article on PCOS in our newsletter After the Diet. It is a syndrome of hormone imbalance in which carbohydrate cravings can be quite intense. It affects approximately 10 percent of all women of reproductive age. This syndrome is associated with some reproductive cancers and insulin resistance, so if ignored, it can create many very serious problems. It is also associated with anxiety, depression and binge eating disorder. We decided to write an article because so few practitioners even know what the syndrome is, and many women who have the syndrome end up diagnosing themselves. When they ask for help, they are often told, “Lose some weight, then come back and see me.” This is incredibly flip and disrespectful of someone with a genuine problem and can encourage some serious disordered eating behaviors. If they could have lost weight on their own, they would have! We are trying to get the word out so that practitioners most likely to encounter PCOS can put
