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Jun 1, 2003 - Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are often assumed, a priori, to be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), given the high pre. Polycystic Ovaries. Polycystic ovaries and cardiovascular events. A polycystic ovary on transvaginal ultrasound. Article activity alert.
As a woman, dealing with acne, stray hairs, weight gain, and period problems seem like they’re par for the course and, in some people’s minds, health woes that women simply need to learn to deal with. But a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, may really be behind these problems. And if a woman has PCOS, it’s important to get the right diagnosis for her current comfort, long-term health, and future plans for having a family. Unfortunately, the reality is that there are several hurdles that can make getting that diagnosis especially difficult.
PCOS is a hormonal problem that affects 10 million women in the world. (1) Women with PCOS produce high levels of androgens, which are male sex hormones. (Women naturally have low amounts of these.) (2) Nonetheless, rather than referring to the condition by its popular name — PCOS — experts now see it as reproductive metabolic syndrome, says David A. Ehrmann, MD, director of the University of Chicago Center for PCOS in Illinois. That’s because not everyone who has the condition has polycystic ovaries (or the development of cysts, or fluid-filled sacs, in the ovaries); more important are the reproductive and metabolic abnormalities that are the hallmarks of PCOS.
The first step in understanding PCOS is learning about the common signs and symptoms. Below, take a look at some of the most common ones, so you know whether PCOS may be at the root of your health issues.
1. Irregular or Unpredictable Periods May Be a Sign of PCOS
You may notice you have irregular, unpredictable periods (called oligomenorrhea). This isn’t just being two or three days late here or there; it means that your cycle length is greater than 35 days. (3) A normal cycle can range between 22 and 35 days. “Patients have unpredictable cycles, and have about eight or fewer cycles per year,” says Dr. Ehrmann. This is due to a lack of progesterone in women with PCOS. (1) Periods may also be especially heavy or really light.