Treatment

http://www.4women.gov/faq/pcos.htm

This website has great information on PCOS and treatments available.

There are no absolute causes known for PCOS. Likewise, there is no cure for it either. For that matter, there aren't any medications dedicated to this condition. The best they can do is substitute medications that help regulate cycles and treat as needed for some of the other symptoms women may have.

Because I do want to have more children, there is really only one non-evasive treatment available. I am on Metformin three times a day. This should help with my insulin resistance lowering testosterone levels and hopefully regulating my cycles. If I am lucky it could also help me ovulate as long as all the other before mentioned ducks are in a row. It usually takes about three months. At the end of three months I will continue the Metformin and start on a fertility drug called Clomid. Clomid is used for stimmulating ovulation. They only give Clomid under careful observation and only for about 3 months at a time. This means that if I do not get pregnant within that time frame, they will stop the Clomid and I will then be referred to a fertility specialist.

I am trying to stay positive about the whole thing but I will admit, it is hard to be optimistic.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The concern is the lack of knowledge and treatment available for PCOS. We are striving to get the word out so more women will be treated for this syndrome, due to the fact it can lead to life threatening conditions and diseases. Please read and learn about it. You may know and love someone who has this syndrome.

"Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" or PCOS is a metabolic disorder that affects a womans menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, heart, blood vessels, and appearance.
PCOS is the most common hormonal/endocrine problem in women of childbearing age. An estimated five to 10 percent of women have PCOS. Over 5,000,000 women suffer from PCOS. That's 1 in every 10 women. Many go undiagnosed.

There are many symptoms of PCOS. You may have only a few or all of them and to varying degrees. Listed below are the symptoms associated with PCOS.

-Multiple ovarian cysts - that can cause ovaries to be 2 to 5 times larger than normal ovaries
-Irregular or absent menses - some women have normal regular periods whereas most will have some changes to their cycle. Sometimes bleeding is heavy but it can also be lighter. The periods may be or become irregular and may stop altogether. In the teenage years this may be normal and can delay diagnosis of PCOS. When chronic anovulation (lack of egg being released regularly) occurs the lining of the uterus (endometrium) may thicken and may lead to abnormal cell changes and an increased risk of uterine and endometrial cancer as women age.
-Infertility - this is usually related to the lack of egg release or ovulation.
-Sleep Apnea and/or insomnia
-Acne - can increase on face and body with the increase in androgens
-Weight Problems - two thirds of PCOS sufferers are affected. The weight gain is usually in the abdominal region. This carries a higher risk of cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure and heart disease. The weight gain is associated with the body not processing insulin normally.
-Hirsutism - is an excess of hair on the face and body due to the excess in androgens. The hair can increase of the sideburn area, chin, upper lip, around nipples, lower abdomen, chest and thighs.
-Insulin resistance and increased chance of diabetes
-Alopecia - loss or thinning of scalp hair in a male-like pattern.
-Acanthosis Nigricans - velvety, hyperpigmented skin folds
-High blood pressure
-Multiple hormone imbalances

If untreated, PCOS can lead to heart disease, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, diabetes, depression, and breast cancer.
Stop PCOS Ignorance-Educate Yourself-Spread the Word