where did pcos come from?
91404
Insulin resistance, excessive androgen production, hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia, cushings disease.  I think I read that it is also caused from a genetic mutation Syndrome X.  Not for sure on the last one.
1120207
Signs and symptoms\nCommon symptoms of PCOS include\n\nOligomenorrhea, amenorrhea - irregular, few, or absent menstrual periods; cycles that do occur may comprise heavy bleeding (check with a gynecologist because heavy bleeding is also an early warning sign of endometrial cancer, for which women with PCOS are at higher risk) \nInfertility, generally resulting from chronic anovulation (lack of ovulation) \nElevated serum (blood) levels of androgens (male hormones), specifically testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), causing hirsutism and occasionally masculinization \nCentral obesity - "apple-shaped" obesity centered around the lower half of the torso \nAndrogenic alopecia (male-pattern baldness) \nAcne, oily skin, seborrhea \nAcanthosis nigricans (dark patches of skin, tan to dark brown or black) \nAcrochordons (skin tags) - tiny flaps of skin \nProlonged periods of PMS-like symptoms (bloating, mood swings, pelvic pain, backaches) \nSleep apnea \n\nSigns are:\n\nMultiple cysts on the ovaries. Sonographically they may look like a string of pearls. \nEnlarged ovaries, generally 1.5 to 3 times larger than normal, resulting from multiple cysts \nThickened, smooth, pearl-white outer surface of ovary \nChronic pelvic pain, possibly due to pelvic crowding from enlarged ovaries; however, the actual cause is not yet known \nThe ratio of LH (Luteinizing hormone) to FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) is greater than 1:1, as tested on Day 3 of the menstrual cycle. \nHigh levels of testosterone. \nLow levels of sex hormone binding globulin. \nHyperinsulinemia.
882861
It sounds like PCOS to me. It is a myth that PCOS is all about having cysts on your ovaries. Only about half the women with PCOS have them.Your best bet at getting answers is seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. You only need to show one symptoms of PCOS in order to have it. I also recommend not taking any drug without instructions from a doctor. I dont know if the abortion pills would have effected your body (I dont know much about them).  Here is some general info about PCOS:\n\n The underlying cause of PCOS is insulin resistance (IR). The best treatment for PCOS is going on an insulin sensitizing drug such as metformin (1500-2550mg per day) combined with a low carb diet and exercise.There are a few important things to know:\n\n1. Many women "pass" the test for IR, but still respond positively from the metformin. No one knows exactlly why..my thought is that the test is not a sure fire way of detecting the IR.\n\n2. You must be on a high enough dose of metformin. I've heard women complain that their bodies dont start working even though they've been on metformin for awhile. Some doctors are hesitant to up the dose past 1500mg...but for some of us it takes more. I don't respond until my dose is around 2000mg a day. \n\n3. It can take a few months on the correct dose, before your body is regulated. \n\n4. It is important to treat your PCOS even if you are not trying to get pregnant. There are higher risks for many things (high blood pressure, blood clots, diabetes, and many other things) when you have PCOS, but if it is treated properly, then those risks go back to a normal rate. \n\nI recommend seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. They are the most knowledgeable about PCOS. I also highly recommend visiting http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhp... It is a great message board, where you can ask all your PCOS questions. The women there are great. Good luck.
454835
that mitosis or meiosis occured.
112899
I don't know what kind of feedback you are looking for, but I have PCOS.  I suffered with it for many years and finally went to an Endocrinologist to seek some kind of treatment.  There is no cure, but it can be managed.  If pregnancy is your goal, an endocrinologist or infertility specialist can help also.  My endocrinologist also diagnosed and treated some other things that were unrelated to PCOS, that greatly improved my quality of life.  I hope this is helpful to you.
1156081
I to have had this problem since 12 it took til i was 25 to get a Dr to listen finally i was diagnosed with pcos(poly cystic ovary syndrome) check out this site and see if any other symptoms fit then talk to your dr about it and make them listen
70537
I have PCOS.  I have thinning hair, hair in other places (facial), overweight, no period in about a year, heart murmur, boarderline high blood pressure, infertility, acanthosis nigricans and undiagnosed insulin resistance.  There are probably more that are conected to PCOS.  From what I have read PCOS and insulin resistance go hand in hand with most women - which causes the hormonal imbalance.  I'm trying to find a more natural way of controling the PCOS and IR through vitamins, herbs, low carb diet, exercise and support from other women with PCOS.
325694
I do know that PCOS may make difficult for you to conceive, but it doesn't mean that you can't ever have children.\n\nThe disorder runs in my family, and I was told by my doctor that the best bet would be to stay on birth control pills until the time comes when I am ready to try to get pregnant. The hormones in the pills are supposed to slow the progress/development of the symptoms.\n\nYour doctor can do a symptom checklist to see if you fit the requirements for PCOS. If you do, or even if you don't, it might be a good idea to talk with your doctor about birth control hormone therapy.
861670
Sounds like you have insulin resistance, which is the underlying cause of PCOS. Although, some women "pass" the test, they still seem to respond positively to treating the insulin resistance. The best way to treat this is with an insulin sensitizing drug, such as metformin, combined with a good diet and exercise. I highly recommend visiting www.ivillage.com. There is a great message board there where you can ask all your PCOS questions.
837872
PCOS is pretty common.  Polycystic ovarian syndrome.  There are other things that could cause no periods, too, most of them are some sort of hormone imbalance (which PCOS is, too).  Stress, poor diet, and other things like that could cause it, too.
678455
polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone disorder that may lead to ovarian cysts. and other problems. Check out the web sight below. I know it is a long one. Just copy and paste it into your address bar.
425737
I have a condition called PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) it is tied with hyperinsulinemia. I take 500mg of glucophage everyday also know as metphormin. I would consult your DR. It sounds like you may or may not have PCOS. Your DR should test your insulin levels and hormone levels to see if you have a hormonal or insulin imbalance. If it isnt PCOS keep pushing him/her to find out what is going on with you. I was lucky to find out about it when I was 12 because now I still have a good chance of getting pregnant and my PCOS was able to be held at stage 1 since i began treatment so soon. So my top suggestion would be GO TO THE DR!!!!!!
577775
Yes, via prenatal androgens. Prenatal levels of testosterone are known to be one cause or contributer to left-handedness, and also to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.\n\nI've done a literature search on pubmed.org for you- here's the main article:\n\n\nOBJECTIVE: To determine whether women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have masculinized finger length patterns compared to women without PCOS. DESIGN: A case control study. SETTING: University teaching hospital and in vitro fertilization unit. PATIENT(S): Seventy women aged between 18 and 40 years with PCOS were compared to 70 women without PCOS. INTERVENTION(S): Measurement of the second to fourth finger length ratio on the ventral surface of the left and right hand from the basal crease of the digit to the tip was made using Vernier calipers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The second to fourth finger length ratio. RESULT(S): We found a significantly reduced ratio in the right hand of the women with PCOS compared to the controls. The geometric mean right finger length ratio in the PCOS group was 98.3% that of the controls (95% confidence interval, 99.3%-97.3%). CONCLUSION(S): Here we show a subtle difference in the finger length pattern of women with PCOS. This may constitute anatomical evidence of in utero androgen exposure in PCOS.\n\nCattrall FR, Vollenhoven BJ, Weston GC., 2005\n\n\np.s. the link between prenatal testosterone and handedness, especially via 2d:4d (the digit ratio mentioned in the article) is very interesting- here's a link to a wikipedia article on it if you are interested!\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digit_ratio\n\nAll the best, hope that helps!
607984
PCOS is a syndrome, meaning that it is a collection of symptoms.  You may or may not have all of the typical symptoms.  However, your hormone levels are often a convincing test for PCOS.  Having an LH level higher than your FSH (follicle stimulating hormone--not SSH) is generally considered to be indicative of PCOS, and your ovarian cysts support that diagnosis.  Irregular menstrual cycles are the most common symptom, as they indicate that you are not ovulating properly.  The other symptoms are generally linked to increased androgen levels or insulin resistance (and they aren't stupid if you have them...trust me, I have the acne, thinning hair, facial/body hair growth, irregular cycles, acanthosis nigricans, weight problems...the whole nine yards).\n\nWhat other blood work did you have done?  You really should have your fasting plasma glucose and a glucose tolerance test done, because PCOS is strongly linked to impaired insulin function and diabetes.  You should also have your thyroid checked because hypothyroidism can cause irregular cycles.  However, the test results you've shared are highly congruent with a diagnosis of PCOS.\n\nI highly recommend checking out www.soulcysters.net--it's a message board for women with PCOS, or even those who think they might have PCOS.  There's even a forum particularly for "thin cysters," just to reassure you that not all women with PCOS are overweight.
963819
I would highly recommend treatment. It is nearly impossible for women with PCOS to lose weight without treating the PCOS.\n\n The underlying cause of PCOS is insulin resistance (IR). If you treat the IR, then your chances of getting pregnant are about the same as anyone else (assuming there are no other problems not related to the PCOS). The best treatment for PCOS is going on an insulin sensitizing drug such as metformin (1500-2550mg per day) combined with a low carb diet and exercise. If this doesn't work by itself (which in most cases I've seen..it does), then you can add fertility treatments to this. There are a few important things to know:\n\n1. Many women "pass" the test for IR, but still respond positively from the metformin. No one knows exactlly why..my thought is that the test is not a sure fire way of detecting the IR.\n\n2. You must be on a high enough dose of metformin. I've heard women complain that their bodies dont start working even though they've been on metformin for awhile. Some doctors are hesitant to up the dose past 1500mg...but for some of us it takes more. I don't respond until my dose is around 2000mg a day. \n\n3. It can take a few months on the correct dose, before your body ovulates on it's own. \n\n4. It is important to treat your PCOS even when you are not trying to get pregnant. There are higher risks for many things (high blood pressure, blood clots, diabetes, and many other things) when you have PCOS, but if it is treated properly, then those risks go back to a normal rate. \n\n5. The side effects of metformin are not the greatest, however...I lost almost 30lbs in 3 months without really doing anything differently. It seemed like the weight just melted off for me. \n\n6. PCOS symptoms and how a body responds to the treatment vary incredibly. No one can predict exactlly what will happen and how your body will respond. That being said: most women I know how treat PCOS properly, report very positive things. \n\nI recommend seeing a reproductive endocrinologist. They are the most knowledgeable about PCOS and any fertility treatments that you may want to do in the future. I also highly recommend visiting http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-bhp... It is a great message board, where you can ask all your PCOS questions. The women there are great. Good luck.
499725
Yes it is.  I have PCOS and have been taking Glucophage XR (Metamorphin is the generic) for years now.  I take 2000mg/day.  \n\nTo explain what Glucophage does, I need to help you understand what PCOS is.  Women with PCOS are almost always insulin resistant, which means that their bodies try to compensate by “overproducing” insulin.  (Insulin resistance can be detected by a blood test of fasting serum levels of glucose and insulin.)\n\nHigh insulin levels produce excess male hormones by increasing androgen production by the ovaries leading to more and more PCOS symptoms. Androgens are male hormones such as testosterone.  High insulin levels also increase the production of LH by the pituitary gland.  The high LH in turn leads to an even higher level of male hormones.  In several recent studies, Glucophage has shown effectiveness in inducing ovulation in some women with PCOS by lowering both LH and male hormone levels.\n\nNow, having said that, note that the major symptom of PCOS is high insulin levels.  The goal is to decrease them.  And what do carbs do?  They raise your insulin level.  So, the best diet...one actually created for PCOS sufferers is SugarBusters.  It's wonderful and helped me, along with Glucophage, to lose about 20-30lbs.\n\nIf you have PCOS you may or may not have trouble getting pregnant.  I have two kids and never had a problem getting pregnant.  My mother and father only have me and it took them six years.  Everyone is different.  I would tell you just not to give up.\n\nYes, it is safe to get pregnant while taking the drug.  It's in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby.  However, you should still talk to your doctor if you are pregnant.  Also, it does pass to the breast milk, so make sure you talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.\n\nNow, the heavy bleeding.  The only thing that will stop the heavy bleeding is keeping your insulin levels down month over month so your male hormones decrease and your female hormones increase, thus inducing a monthly period.  The bleeding is heavy because when you do have a period, it's likely several periods in one.  When I go a few months without a period, my doctor prescribes a hormone pill that I take for a week that starts my period.\n\nThe most important thing to do is to take the Glucophage/Metamorphin every single day.  When you first start taking it, it can cause some bad cramps and bad poopies, so you might ask about taking the XR/ER version, which is an extended release version.  That helps get rid of those symptoms.  \n\nAlso, it's important to exercise.  I found that I need about 240 minutes of cardio every week for it to make a difference.  Do your best to get as close to possible as that.  And also strength train.  Muscle burns more calories than fat.  \n\nHope this helps.  Good Luck!
479307
PCOS can make it very difficult for you to get pregnant.  Weight is a major factor, but so are hormones.  It's not impossible, but you need to be prepared to take fertility treatments.  Keep losing the weight and keep trying.  It's not impossible, just difficult.