Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is probably the most common health topic request that
I get here at Stuff Mom Never Told You so it's high time I'm making a video about it.
First up let's just define what Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is and the kind of symptoms
that it produces. Simply put polycystic ovarian syndrome is a metabolic disorder resulting
in hormone imbalances that create a variety of both internal and externally visible symptoms.
It's diagnosis is dependent on something called the Rotterdam Criteria a patient has to exhibit
two out of three of the following conditions. Elevated levels of androgens or male sex hormones
which could result in symptoms such as excessive hairiness, acne and/or male pattern balding.
The absence or irregularity of menstrual cycles which may or may not be accompanied intermittent,
prolonged, heavy periods. A doze or more pearl like follicular cysts on the ovaries. PCOS
can also lead to additional physical symptoms such as infertility, obesity, an elevated
risk for diabetes, heart disease and uterine cancer as well as psychological symptoms like
anxiety, depression and eating disorders. In other words, PCOS is no fun. And fact number
one, it is highly common. In fact it is one of the most common disorders of biological
females of reproductive age impacting up to ten percent of the female population and in
fact I've seen estimates as 21%. Fact number two, it's hereditary. Researchers are still
trying to figure out exactly what the genetic link might be but they know that it runs in
families. PCOS doesn't just directly effect biologically female people. It can also effect
both cis and trans men. Which leads me to fact number three that up to 70% of people
with polycystic ovarian syndrome are undiagnosed. One study that I looked at found that it took
an average of four different doctors to accurately diagnose people with PCOS. On the one hand
that difficulty of diagnosis might have to do with how these symptoms might indicate
things over than PCOS but on the other hand historically it has taken a long time for
doctors to actually take these kinds of symptoms seriously instead of just telling women coming
in complaining of acne and bad periods to just go home and stop being so hysterical.
Before I get into PCOS treatment I wanted to offer fact number four which can provide
a little deeper insight into just how confounding of a medical condition this can be because
get this, polycystic ovary syndrome might now actually produce multiple cysts on your
ovaries. Hence with the Rotterdam Criteria you only need two out of the three conditions.
Even the medical language used to describe this disorder can be misleading and confusing
and is probably in need of an update. But the good news according to fact number five
is that PCOS is treatable. Right now there is no cure however there are combination medication
and lifestyle options that have been shown to radically improve the symptoms. And I know
there are lots of online resources out there particularly of people with PCOS writing about
their diets and exercise tips so if you know of any of these please offer them below in
the comments. Speaking of comments I want to hear from you, are you someone dealing
with PCOS, do these symptoms sound familiar? How do you deal, what has been your experience
getting or not getting a diagnosis? Let me know in the comments below and I will also
link to more resources so you can learn more about polycystic ovary syndrome. Bye everybody.
These are my kisses. Air kisses for everyone. Dododododododo.