PCOS affects between 5-10% of women of reproductive age. However, the awareness of the condition is still very low among health care professionals and the general public.
As many of the signs are symptoms were deemed common, "cosmetic" or even embarrassing to discuss about, many women have never brought up these issues, whether with friends, families or their health care professionals.
It is important to know, and watch out for it, as PCOS-Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is associated with many serious long-term health outcomes (infertility, risk of heart and liver diseases, diabetes and possibly endometrial cancer), and could also inflict severe psychological impact as it slowly erode our "feminine identity".
If you have some of these signs and symptoms, it is important to discuss with your doctor about PCOS:
* Acne which persisted into adulthood
*Irregular or absent menses
* Infertility-difficulty conceiving, or repeated miscarriages
* Obesity, especially weight around the abdomen (apple shape)/rapid weight loss or inability to lose weight
* Excessive body or facial hair (hirsutism)-upper lips, near the "side burns", knuckles, tummy, etc
* Sugar cravings, dips of energy level/dizziness a few hours after a meal with carbohydrate stuff (Insulin resistance and possibly diabetes)
* Thinning of hair, the male pattern sort
* Velvety, hyperpigmented skin folds (acanthosis nigricans) usually behind the neck or at armpits/groin areas
* Appearance of tiny skin tags around neck and arm pits
*Diabetes
Women with PCOS also related these symptoms (which are not really recognised by your docs as a PCOS symptom!)
-chronic pelvic pain -some reported worsening during/around periods/ovulation
-mood swings-which is logical if you consider how hormonal imbalance could affect our mood!
-fatigue/tiredness (could be related to insulin problems)
-severe period pains
Other things which are commonly brought up by women with PCOS
-their mothers/sisters/aunts have "some problems" with their periods, or difficulty conceiving
If you see a doctor, you might go through these tests:
* Ultrasound scan-usually intravaginal, especially if you are overweight- this could show Multiple ovarian cysts (Polycystic ovaries have a "string of pearl appearance", and could be 2-5 times larger than healthy ovaries)
* Blood tests: which may detect hormone imbalances:
o Androgens (testosterone)
o Cortisol
o Estrogens
o FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
o LH (luteinizing hormone)
o progesterone
o Prolactin.
* Tests for Insulin resistance and glucose intolerance- may require fasting and blood tests
* Assessment of the severity of your excess hair against a chart
It is very important to know that you may only have some, and not all of these symptoms! You don't have to wait until you have all the symptoms and tick all the boxes to get help. By that time, it is often too late, and there is more work and less time (if you are trying for kids) to reverse or minimise further damage.
If you have some of these signs and symptoms and planning to see a doctor, please read on to my post about seeing your doctor-what you must know (Will post as soon) I would like to share with you important information which I think you must know. These are from my own experience as a PCOS patient, through my research in PCOS with other PCOS patients and the medical literature, and with the insight of someone from the health care background. I sincerely hope the information will help you to get diagnosed and help sooner rather than later. Many PCOS patients run in circles before getting any diagnosis, and a diagnosis is no guarantee of any practical help.
Please also see the Video where Ashley (a PCOS patient) related her experience of the "mysterious diagnosis"
Please feel free to email me or leave a comment if you have any questions or need further help. I will try my best!
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