[astrophe]

Can we update this thread? It was started in 2002!

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/pcos...formation.html

I would suggest it change to something a bit more streamlined like this below so the newbies get around better.

Thanks for considering!

A.

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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is also known as: sclerocystic ovarian disease; polycystic ovarian disease(PCOD) and Stein-Leventhal Syndrome.

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. PCOS is actually a misnomer, because it only refers to one of many symptoms associated with this disorder. It affects between 5 to 10% of all women and is one of the leading causes of infertility. If the hormone imbalance is left untreated, the syndrome may lead to life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and uterine and endometrial cancers.

Symptoms can be mild or severe, and can vary widely from woman to woman. This is part of the reason doctors often miss the diagnosis. Someone with PCOS may have one or all of the following
symptoms in varying degrees:

- irregular periods: abnormal, irregular, heavy or scanty (oligomenorrhea)
- absent periods (amenorrhea)
- ovarian cysts
- hirsutism (excess facial and/or body hair)
- alopecia (male-pattern hair loss)
- obesity
- acne
- skin tags
- acanthosis nigricans (brown skin patches, often found on the nape of the neck)
- high cholesterol levels
- high blood pressure
- exhaustion and/or lack of mental alertness
- decreased sex drive
- excess "male" hormones, such as androgens, DHEAS, or testosterone - infertility
- decreased breast size
- enlarged clitoris(rare)
- enlarged ovaries
- enlarged uterus
-insulin resistance
-infertility

It is possible to have the above symptoms and not have PCOS. However, most women with these symptoms, especially irregular menstrual cycles, do have PCOS. In fact, 80 percent of women with six or fewer periods per year have PCOS.

Note that symptoms can worsen over time or with weight gain.

HIGHLIGHTS

PCOS patients can present in at least 5 different ways.
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/pcos...tient-you.html

Inciid FAQ -- overview and esp good for newly diagnosed

http://www.inciid.org/faq.php?cat=infertility101&id=2

Mary's PCOS FAQ that rates treatment options
http://pcosfaq.com/

There are MORE articles in the PCOS article area covering birth control, nutrition, metformin, and other tidbits:

http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/pcos-articles-125/

Feel free to just jump in anywhere you'd like!

Welcome to the PCOS/Insulin Resistance Support forum!