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PCOS

A Woman's Guide to Dealing With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

An Excerpt

By Colette Harris with Dr. Adam Carey

These women considered themselves normal and had not complained before the ultrasound examination questionnaire.

PCOS is polycystic ovary syndrome, which is the name given to the condition which includes having polycystic ovaries and symptoms associated with the syndrome – you can have PCO without having PCOS.

It is also worth noting that many women are brought up to think that periods are a "curse" and bring pain, acne and bad moods with them as a matter of course. If you are brought up to expect pain and misery as normal, you won't go to see a doctor to check if there's anything wrong if you experience them. Women who have scanty, light or even non-existent periods often feel they are getting off lightly and shouldn't complain. Many women with PCOS who have this problem have in fact been told that they are "lucky" by doctors.

If more women felt they had a right to expect more regular – in both senses of the word – periods, more women would go to the doctor and insist that they be checked out for gynecological problems such as PCOS.

There is a danger that because stress is known to have such wide-ranging effects in people – from heart attacks and stomach ulcers to fatigue and insomnia – it can almost be blamed for anything, including the sorts of symptoms associated with PCO/S. Acne, weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, even irregular periods can all so easily be attributed to stress that the comfort of self-diagnosing ourselves and recommending to ourselves that we take it easier can leave the PCOS stone unturned.

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