what is PCOS?

Answer 1

It is polycystic ovarian disease-

Polycystic ovarian disease (PCO), also known by the name Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a hormonal problem that causes women to have a variety of symptoms including:

- Irregular or no periods
- Acne
- Obesity, and
- Excess hair growth.

Any of the above symptoms and signs may be absent with the exception of irregular or no periods. All women with PCO will have irregular or no menses. Women who have PCO do not regularly ovulate; that is, they do not release an egg every month. This is why they do not have regular periods. No one is quite sure what causes PCO. However, the ovaries of women with PCO frequently contain a number of small cysts, hence the name poly (many) cystic ovarian disease. A similar number of cysts may occur in women without PCO. Therefore, the cysts themselves do not seem to be the cause of the problem. A malfunction of the body's blood sugar control system (insulin system) is frequent in women with PCO. The result is an inadequate response to insulin (insulin resistance) that can lead to abnormally elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels. The insuliin disturbance is thought to also be the trigger for the development of symptoms such as acne and excess hair growth that is seen with PCO.

PCOS treatment is aimed at correcting anovulation, restoring normal menstrual periods, improving fertility, eliminating hirsutism and acne, and preventing future complications related to high insulin and blood lipid (fat) levels. Treatment consists of weight loss, drugs or surgery, and hair removal, depending upon which symptoms are most bothersome, and whether a woman desires pregnancy.

There is no known way to prevent PCOS, but if diagnosed and treated early, risks for complications such as heart disease and diabetes may be minimized. Weight control through diet and exercise stabilizes hormones and lowers insulin levels.-

Answer 2

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. However, the name is very misleading. Only about half the women with PCOS have polycystic ovaries. It is the number one cause of female infertility. It is basically a series of symptoms (one being infertility) caused by insulin resistance (which messes up all the hormones, causing the symptoms). Here's a list of the more common symptoms (but there are TONS more): Irregular periods, lack of ovulations, skin tags, excess weight (especially in the middle), thinning hair, excess facial/body hair, acne, brown patchy skin around ankles and neck, depression. There are women who only have 1 symptom, but still respond from proper treatment. If you think you might have it, there is a panel of blood tests and an ultrasound can be done to help with diagnosis (although many women "pass" all this and still have it). Here's some basic PCOS info and some links:

I recommend seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. They are generally more knowledgeable about PCOS and the correct treatment. Unfortunately, many doctors are not aware of the proper treatment.

The underlying cause of PCOS is insulin resistance (IR). The best treatment for PCOS is going on an insulin sensitizing drug such as metformin (1500-2550mg per day) combined with a low carb diet and exercise. There are a few important things to know:

1. Many women "pass" the test for IR, but still respond positively from the metformin. No one knows exactlly why..my thought is that the test is not a sure fire way of detecting the IR.

2. You must be on a high enough dose of metformin. I've heard women complain that their bodies dont start working even though they've been on metformin for awhile. Some doctors are hesitant to up the dose past 1500mg...but for some of us it takes more. I don't respond until my dose is around 2000mg a day.

3. It can take a few months on the correct dose, before your body is regulated.

4. It is important to treat your PCOS even if you are not trying to get pregnant. There are higher risks for many things (high blood pressure, blood clots, diabetes, and many other things) when you have PCOS, but if it is treated properly, then those risks are lowered.


When the PCOS is treated properly, all of your symptoms may not disappear, but they should improve some. It will also be a lot easier to lose weight (and keep it off). Our bodies work against us when we try to lose weight on our own, making it nearly impossible to lose weight.

There are TONS of books about PCOS and dieting. There are two that I recommend. Here's the links at amazon for those:
http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/0809224275/...
http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/0007131844/...

I also recommend a couple web sites:
http://pcos.itgo.com/
http://www.inciid.org/faq.php?cat=infert...

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhp... This one is a great message board where you can ask all your PCOS questions or just chat with the women who are also dealing with PCOS. Good luck

Answer 3

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
PCOS is a health problem that can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. Women with PCOS have these characteristics:

high levels of male hormones, also called androgens
an irregular or no menstrual cycle
may or may not have many small cysts in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.
PCOS is the most common hormonal reproductive problem in women of childbearing age.

Answer 4

I had pcos. I also had type 2 diabetes. You'll notice I said had. Now I have four kids, am in my target weight range, and my diabete's isn't just under control... it seems to be missing. Sucks for the blood sucking doctors! Let me know if you want to know the truth. I found out from a nutritianist, so it's not a joke... and it's not a 'plan' to sap you of your money. You do it in your kitchen with the foods you buy from your local grocery. No tricks, no gimmicks, just good clean natural medicine.

It is diet that caused your condition, diet can cure it.

Answer 5

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Answer 6

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Check out these links for information:
www.pcosupport.org
www.pcosupport.org/medical/whatis.php
www.4woman.gov/faq/pcos

Answer 7

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome - its most common symptoms are weight gain, facial hair, irregular or non existent periods. Sufferers often struggle to lose weight and can benefit from a low carb low gluten diet. Most will develop diabetes when they reach menopause and many struggle to conceive as this condition affects fertility. sometimes it can be triggered by pregnancy and some sufferers find symptoms ease following a pregnancy.

Answer 8

polycystic ovarian syndrome,if a female is complaining of irregular or absent periods,abnormal increase in body hair and above all that she has obesity issues,it's most likely that she has PCOS, and she should c a doctor ASAP........

Answer 9

Always have vegetables on side. Saute a big bag connected with frozen mixed vegetables in coconut oil and garlic. Add some red pepper as well as turmeric for additional flavor along with separate into portion-sized containers for the fridge.

Answer 10

You should start by not wanting to get pregnant, just have sex everyday or every other day and don't think about getting pregnant, just have fun with your partner. Get more useful information and guides to get pregnant herehttps://tr.im/olCwA
after sex-put a pillow under your butt or prop your feet up on the wall so your pelvis is tilted
eat healthy
back off caffiene
workout, even if its just a 20 minute walk a day, be active.