Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects 5–10% of women. It occurs amongst all races and nationalities, is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, and is a leading cause of infertility. The principal features are lack of regular ovulation and excessive amounts or effects of androgenic hormones. The symptoms and severity of the syndrome vary greatly between women. While the causes are unknown, insulin resistance is heavily correlated with PCOS.

...More at Wikipedia  

Related Links:

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association
• Womenshealth.gov
• Mayo Clinic

Recent Hope Cube Blog Entries For Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

• Medications Thu, September 13, 2007 - [view]
  Since I hit puberty, I've been taking hormonal birth control pills for my PCOS.  First it was a mini-pill, then Ortho Tri-Cyclen, then Ortho Evra, then Yasmin, and now Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo.I used OE before Ortho revealed that the patch released higher levels of estrogen than it was meant to.  Learning that suddenly gave me a great deal of insight into the previously-baffling resurgence of my PCOS symptoms.  Estrogen and I are not great friends. I finally got my blood sugars tested last year.  Of course, I'm insulin resistant.  Now I'm taking Metformin and my symptoms are negligible.  Losing weight has helped control my PCOS symptoms.  Of course, the weight gain itself was a PCOS symptom.  
• PCOS Wed, September 05, 2007 - [view]
  I started having my period when I was 10; this was relatively normal and expected as this is when my mother started menstruating. And, like msot girls, my first year or so of bleeding was not on any schedule.However, my period *never* seemed to have a schedule. I never was regular. I had my period for seven years before going in to see a doctor about my unusually heavy and long lasting menstrual cycles. When I was seventeen, I was diagnosed with PCOS. No biggie; they gave me birth control and explained that this was why I had gained 35 pound in my four years of high school. I may be sterile when I'm older- that's what the BC was for. To regulate and prevent complications.Now, in college, I find it more and more difficult to grasp. I went to my on-campus Health Clinic a year ago ...