PCOS November 16, 2007

or Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome. Defined in Wikipedia as an endocrine disorder that affects approximately one in ten women.^[1] It occurs amongst all races and nationalities, is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, and is a leading cause of infertility. The principal features are weight problems, lack of regular ovulation and/or menstruation and excessive amounts or effects of androgenic (masculinizing) hormones. The symptoms and severity of the syndrome vary greatly between women. While the causes are unknown, insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity are all strongly correlated with PCOS.

I think that I got this because of my weight problem. Before, I just thought that I wasn’t “regular” which is common in younger women but as I got older I think it got worse. I can go 3-4 months without ever having a period. I mean, whew, right? No cramps, napkins, stains and all but duh, it’s unhealthy. And this can lead to cancer and if not treated it can affect my ability to conceive. Yikes. I’ve been to a Gynecologist already and had 2 Transvaginal Ultrasounds already (I tell you this is not comfortable at all).

This is the tool used (or shall I say, inserted to check the ovaries).

I have cysts or “follicles” in my ovaries - loosely described as blood not going through the usual cycle, its like their growth is stumped along the way and they stay in my ovaries.

This is not my actual ultrasound but this is how it looks like; the dark ’spots’ are the follicles. Mine are not as huge as this one, though and not as many. Thank God!

I’ve taken medications already and this helps my cycle be regular. But I for some reason I stopped taking the meds, I started forgetting to take them at a particular time of the day then I’d forget for as long as 3 days without taking them until it dwindled down to not taking them at all. Guilty as charged. I was supposed to go back to the doctor some time ago - I can’t even remember when that was scheduled. I also took meds for Type II Diabetes because when you have PCOS your insulin production is disturbed because you have hormonal imbalance so taking this diabetic medicine helps the production/balancing of insulin levels needed by the body.

I just thought of this now (which I should be doing already), but I promise (and I guess this’ll be one of my new year’s resolution) that I’ll visit my OB regularly already regarding my PCOS and have a yearly check up as any responsible woman should. Oh, and going ona diet won’t be bad either.*Nods*