PCOS is short for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.
The exact cause of it is unknown, but experts believe that a combination of genes and environmental factors cause it.
Symptoms May Include:
- Infertility (PCOS is the #1 leading cause of infertility)
- Infrequent, absent, and/or irregular menstrual periods
- Insulin Resistance — cells don’t utilize insulin properly
- Hirsutism — increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
- Follicles on the ovaries
- Acne & oily skin
- Weight gain or obesity, typically with extra weight around the waist
- Easy to gain weight, hard to lose it
- Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
- Dark patches of skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
- Skin tags
- Pelvic pain
- Anxiety, depression, mood swings
- Sleep apnea
- Headaches
If you think you may have PCOS, there are a couple of ways to get diagnosed by your doctor…
- A pelvic exam
- Blood tests
- An Ultrasound
To get a complete list of the most important tests to get if you suspect you have PCOS, check out:
https://pcos.com/lab-tests-for-pcos/
In health & happiness,
Jamie
