Polycystic ovarian syndrome can be a source of much distress to premenopausal women.
Ellen Bender loves the role of being mom. At 43, she considers herself fortunate. After multiple rounds of infertility treatments she now has two beautiful girls. Her infertility was just one battle she has fought with her lifelong disease known as polycystic ovary syndrome. “I was in my teens I had gotten my first period but they were irregular,” says Ellen. “I couldn’t get excused from gym class as regularly as my friends.”

Ellen jokes, but knows polycystic ovarian syndrome is a serious disease which often starts out as more of a cosmetic problem than anything else. The problem occurs because women with PCOS make excess male hormones. Dr. Richard Scott, a reproductive specialist at Morristown Memorial Hospital in New Jersey, says, “A young lady with polycystic ovary syndrome can have a spectrum of problems. These can range from irregular menstrual cycles, hair growth, acne, deepening of their voice and even infertility.”
Now new research in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism shows polycystic ovary syndrome is a lot more common than previously believed. 6.6% of premenopausal women in the U.S. have PCOS, making it the most common endocrine abnormality of reproductive aged-women. The majority of women are not massively overweight and being thin is not a guarantee you do not have PCOS. To diagnose PCOS, women should pay attention to signs of male hormone excess and irregular menstrual cycles. Dr. Scott believes, “I think there are a lot of women out there who have polycystic ovarian syndrome and are unaware of it. And that is a tragedy. It’s very important for people to know if they have this problem because there are things we can do to counteract the long term complications.”
These complications include a higher risk of uterine cancer, and of diabetes, and the associated cardiovascular, neurological and kidney problems that go with that disease.
“Young ladies with some of these symptoms need to be discussing it with their gynecologist,” advises Dr. Scott.
There are many treatments, including birth control pills for irregular periods, and diabetes medications. Ellen gets her blood sugar checked regularly. “Now that I know that PCOS increases my risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even endocrine cancer, I have to be more vigilant about it,” remarks Ellen who is determined not to let PCOS prevent her from leading a fulfilled life.

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