What is PCOS?

What is PCOS?
PCOS is a hormonal disorder where higher levels of testosterone (higher than are usually found in females) and insulin are present. The condition causes multiple cysts to grow on the ovaries because the balance of different hormones needed to produce egg follicles correctly has been upset. Whilst many women who have no other problems might occasionally develop ovarian cysts, PCOS causes many cysts to form around the ovaries, as well as bringing about a raft of other symptoms (see below) which can affect your appearance, your long-term health outlook, and your chances of having a successful pregnancy.
(PCOS can also affect post-menopausal women.)
No-one knows for certain what causes PCOS although there is growing support for theories linking it with insulin resistance.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?
Some women might have the condition but in such a mild form that they do not realise they have it. However, main symptoms (not always manifested together) include:
Lack of monthly periods or having nine or fewer periods over the year.
Acne, oily skin, skin tags or brown patches on the skin.
Obesity (especially around the middle) and difficulty losing weight.
Ovarian cysts.
Excessive hair growth on the body, or male-pattern baldness.
High cholesterol levels.
Infertility.
Multiple miscarriage.
Fatigue and/or loss of sexual drive.

Is there a cure for PCOS?
There is no cure for PCOS but there are ways in which the condition can be managed.
Because women may suffer from different symptoms, it is advisable that a woman who thinks she may have the condition talks to her GP about her specific situation. She will also then be more regularly screened for longer-term risks like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.
A GP may decide that progestogen tablets will help restore healthy levels of this important hormone in order to increase the regularity of ovulation. Ovulation (at least six times over a 12-month period) is important not only for women who want to conceive but for women's health generally.
Removing the ovaries is not neccessarily a guarantee that the problem will be eliminated.
It is advisable for women with the condition to reduce the risk of long-term conditions by removing other lifestyle factors which bring on such problems. Smoking, eating fatty foods and not exercising are all things which can contribute to the problems and which - whilst some sufferers with PCOS may find it hard to lose weight - most women can do something about.

Does PCOS mean I can never conceive?
Not neccessarily.
Whilst problems with ovulation, weight gain and other factors might mean that conception is not so easy, and some medical treatments (in some cases GPs might suggest long-term use of the contraceptive pill, for example) do rule out pregnancy, positive management of the condition can sometimes result in successful pregnancies.
Medical therapies which restore hormonal balance can help, and there are also treatments to encourage ovulation (such as clomiphene citrate or 'Chlomid'). In some cases IVF might be possible.
Other routes via herbalism and nutrional therapy can work for some women.

I think I might have PCOS. What now?
Talk to your GP first. Your GP will send you for tests to check your blood (for hormonal inbalance and possibly for blood sugar levels) and scan for cysts. Talk about the condition and your symptoms and ask about long-term fertility chances even if you do not want to get pregnant now.
There are many non-medical routes which include herbalism and nutritional management. For some women these may work and are worth exploring.
There's a great website and support system for women with PCOS, called Verity. They have detailed information about the condition and organise events. Check out the Verity website for more.