September is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month
What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Physicians describe it as an important cause of androgen excess, menstrual irregularity, and cardiometabolic dysfunction in women. Women, on the other hand, describe it as a confusing and overwhelming body disorder causing a complete change in their lifestyle. It is a continuous battle with weight gain, infertility, menstrual irregularity, excessive hair growth, and many other symptoms.
So What?
You may have heard the term PCOS being casually used before but if it has not affected you or your loved ones, then that knowledge maybe ends there. PCOS is actually more common than you think and is the leading cause of female infertility and a precursor for other serious conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer.
The month of September is highlighted as PCOS Awareness Month – a month where we can support and share in learning more about this serious disease which many women have accepted as their new normal way of life. If you are having symptoms like acne, excessive body hair growth or weight gain, and irregular periods, don’t just assume that you are the problem or that it is normal. These symptoms may or may not be related to PCOS but it’s possible, and if they are, they can be treated.
Listen to your body and talk to your gynecologist.
Video credits: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association