Suffering With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome -- Signs And Symptoms Of PCOS

For 5 to 10% of women in the reproductive stages in their life, polycystic ovarian syndrome threatens to devastate their future. While no one knows for sure what causes it, the signs and symptoms are obvious to professionals and patients alike. PCOS affects patients inside and out, leaving these women struggling with more than finding treatments that work.

Skin Issues
One of the first things PCOS sufferers discover is their skin begins to change. Their once creamy skin disappears almost before their very eyes, leaving behind areas of discoloration similar to that of age spots. Acne breakouts also appear, getting worse, and getting better, but never going away completely. These symptoms lower the victim's self-esteem. Polycystic ovarian syndrome adds to an already damaged self image because of the constant pain and women's health issues.

Hormonal Problems
Hormones aren't noticeable until they become imbalanced. Once this occurs, the symptoms begin to dominate the patient's daily life. Menstrual periods become unpredictable and may even disappear for months at a time. These women never know when it will show up, or how long it will last.

PCOS has a high infertility rate. For many, this problem becomes a troubling issue that works its way between couples. Polycystic ovarian syndrome sufferers become depressed because they are unable to do 'what they were meant to do' in their eyes. Many complain of feeling less than a woman because of it.

Hair growth greatly declines with the onset of PCOS. Victims find the hair on their scalp falls out at a faster rate than it grows in, leaving them with thinning hair that rarely comes back on its own. Unwanted hair doesn't fall out. Instead, it grows profusely in places that are not so nice and are difficult to eliminate.

Weight Control
PCOS sufferers have difficulty controlling their weight. In fact, approximately half of those diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome are obese, particularly around their midsection. In addition to further harming their self-esteem, the extra pounds make life difficult in general as well as increasing their risk of other serious conditions including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes. Recent study on extra fat stores in the abdomen suggests that the rate of heart attacks is particularly high.

Endometrial Cancer
Because this condition causes irregular menstruation, the risk of endometrial cancer rises sharply. This is a curable form, but approximately 7,000 women still lose their life to it every year. It isn't picked up through a regular PAP smear. Many times, the reason is that they ignore the symptoms until it is too late, or they fail to receive a diagnosis in time.

Experts have yet to discover a cure for polycystic ovarian syndrome, even though studies are ongoing. Sufferers can only search for treatments that ease the symptoms, and visit their doctor regularly to keep track of others. Some patients also find that simple lifestyle changes are enough to control some of these problems. The most important thing is to ask questions, and seek help from a medical professional if you notice things that aren't right.

About the Author
Christine O'Kelly is an author for the polycystic ovarian syndrome research group from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. They are currently involved in numerous research studies on PCOS. Visit them online for more information about this syndrome, or to volunteer for their current trials.