There is an imbalance in a woman’s body, which affects several hormone systems that may cause women to have a variety of symptoms of having an ovarian cyst. These symptoms also include of having a high level of androgens (a male hormone), missed or irregular period and many small cysts in the ovaries (which are Read the rest of this entry »

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Hey Readers! I’ve been comin across some crazy stuff the past few days from a few different blogs around the web which I just had to share with you. Check em out below…

What are the signs of having Ovarian Cysts? | Ovarian Cyst Cures

Still, there is no proof that PCOS is inherited. What are the symptoms of polycystic Read the rest of this entry »

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Pcos And Fatigue

As a stay at home mother of two young, energetic boys I always thought that constantly being tired was just part of the job. By two o’clock each afternoon, all I wanted to do was get them to nap and lay down on the couch to regroup. Often, by the time I fell asleep, they were ready Read the rest of this entry »

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I have had PCOS symptoms running after me the whole of last year. It sadly came as new year curse! For me, it came right after my ACL surgery in December 2007, that required me to be static and bed-ridden for 6 weeks at a stretch.

During this time, (and trust me 6 weeks and being static is really bad for your health), as I remained inactive because of post-surgery measures, when compared to my usual self, I had PCOS symptoms. There used to be irregular periods at first. I used to shrug it off but then this continued for 3 months at a stretch. Later, a gynaecologist and an endocrinologist examined me and suggested that I take a Uterus scan.

I had to do a uterus scan atleast twice in three months to know what the problem was. I did the scan twice and the doc found that the size of the ovaries was increasing by the months. Another symptom was a dark spotting skin forming around my neck and dark areas on my armpits. This is a sign of insulin resistance. On the chin and on places between the chin and the lower neck, I had small hairs formed, which were not present before. Also, I kept on putting weight or rather I was not able to shed any even while I did jogging in the morning everyday for 30-45 mins. I became stressed out, used to get quite hot-tempered and would be easily sad at small things. All this did not help at all!

My gynaec suggested birth control pills, and forced the periods to come. This went on for some months. Later, my weight began to become steady and there was neither an increase or decrease. My doctor suggested a whole diet plan which included wheat bread in the morning, chapattis for dinner and some rice in the afternoon for lunch. He asked me to completely stop munching in between. He also asked me to continue my brisk walking/jogging. I started doing 'pranayam' in the meanwhile because the doctor explained that the cause for this PCOS to occur is a disbalance in the hormones. 'Pranayam' was my first saviour! Also, I began eating soya protein, this helped in reducing the insulin resistance in my liver and as a result the cysts formation declined. I started to lose weight after 12 months of relentless trying, exercising, 'pranayam' and including soya protein in my diet.
My periods became regular and are still so.

The reason for PCOS is generally genetics or unhealthy and stressful lifestyle. I had the latter as my cause – too much work related stress, post-surgery stress and inactivity that lead to the PCOS condition.I found my TSH hormone was also abnormal which triggered an insulin resistance in my liver and hence caused cysts to be formed in my ovaries. It was a vicious cycle that had taken place. But, I think I have been able to control it.

The only thing I advise you is that you need to keep your calm during this time. It is tough I know, but it is easy to get angry, upset and disheartened at people's comments on your weight and your looks. But do not give up, try what I suggested or alternatives to 'pranayam' and I am sure you will be fine again. God Bless!

For more info on Pranayam, see:http://www.holisticonline.com/Yoga/hol_yoga_breath_home.htm
For PCOS information, see:http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.cfm

One of the most common questions I get from women who are newly diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome is “Will I ever get pregnant?” I have not been able to find specific studies regarding fertility and PCOS-likely because it is so hard to track those who are successful in getting pregnant without medical intervention. One source said that women with PCOS have an 80-90 percent chance of having a baby, but I was unable to find any research studies to back this up. While some women with polycystic ovarian syndrome will not be able to get pregnant, I believe that the majority can and do eventually have healthy babies.

First, 5-10% of women of childbearing age have PCOS. If their symptoms are mild they are often undiagnosed. If they have even one child, many physicians will say they can not have PCOS. This is ridiculous if you look at the diagnostic criteria. The most common criteria for diagnosis include a failure to ovulate regularly. However, for many women this means they have long cycles (35 days or longer in many cases) but they DO ovulate.

Some women with PCOS have unhealthy eggs because their periods are too far apart, in many cases this is correctable with herbs, diet or drugs. Many women with PCOS also have a thyroid condition. Frequently, if this is treated they begin to ovulate. Many women with PCOS have frequent miscarriages, but they eventually have a healthy baby-often with the help of progesterone cream or suppositories. Some women find that losing weight, taking vitex or other herbs, or reducing stress cause them to begin ovulating (for me it was all three!). Some learn to detect ovulation through cervical mucus and basal body temperatures (BBT or temperature charting). Again, these women often have healthy babies without medical intervention.

It is hard to know how many women with PCOS become pregnant without help since many women are first diagnosed with PCOS because they are having trouble getting pregnant. Often metformin or other insulin-sensitizing drugs work wonders and they are able to get pregnant and carry a baby to term.

The fact is, only a small percentage of women with PCOS ever make it to the stage of trying fertility drugs. Clomid (clomiphene citrate) is often the first drug of choice since it is cheap and easy to take. I did find studies indicating that Clomid alone works for 70% of women with PCOS. Other women find that they need Clomid and metformin or stronger fertility drugs. The success rate tends to drop a bit as time passes and stronger methods are tried, but the bottom line is that most women who have PCOS and want children have them.

Even for those who are told they will never succeed at getting and staying pregnant, there is much reason to hope. Several close friends of mine have surprised themselves and their doctors by getting pregnant after years of infertility. “Lisa” adopted three children and then found herself pregnant in her late 30’s. It seems that for many women their PCOS symptoms mellow out as they get older. “Anne” went to the doctor to find out why she was infertile after several years of marriage-she was 3 already months pregnant and boy number two followed just 15 months later. “Susan” had three miscarriages and was told she would never carry a baby to term. Four months later she was pregnant with her daughter and her son is two years younger. “Barb” got pregnant when she was not even thinking of fertility and now counts herself extremely blessed to have two healthy boys.

I know many women who have done everything possible to get pregnant, even IVF, and have not succeeded. But the majority of women with PCOS DO get pregnant. There is even more reason to hope for the young women who are just now learning they have PCOS. First, they are more likely to be diagnosed at all. This means many women will be diagnosed who would have been overlooked ten or fifteen years ago when my generation was first beginning the march from doctor to doctor looking for answers. We know so much more than we did then. Treatments, both natural and medical, are much, much better than ever. In addition, being diagnosed now means they have the chance to prevent much of the physical and emotional trauma older women have experienced because our doctors just didn’t know how to help us.

My advice to any particular woman is to do all you can to increase your fertility (see my other articles and my books for more information about this). Then do your best to relax and let your body work. The odds are with you in the long run.

Julie Renee Holland is a life coach who specializes in helping women with chronic disease to live passionate lives and fulfill their dreams. You can learn more at http://www.pcoscoach.com

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Pcos And Metformin

The first week I had horrible gas pains. The second week it was diarrhea. By the third week when the vomiting began I knew I could not take Metformin, also known as glucophage, anymore. According to my gynecologist, Metformin would regulate my missing periods, clear up my acne, and decrease the hair growing in places that I did not want it to. Instead, all I got was a steady stream of horrible reactions that left me weak, tearful and depressed.

I had heard my doctor’s warning of possible side effects but, really, who listens to those? If there was a wonder drug that was going to help me I was determined to take it; so determined that when my adverse symptoms started I ignored them. But by the third week, when things got worse, I began to feel betrayed. I was angry at the internet articles, angry at the blogs, angry at my neighbor who had taken Metformin and been fine, angry at my doctor. It seemed that there was no cure for me, no easy road to regular periods or losing weight or nice skin.

When I first learned about Metformin on the internet, all the news seemed very positive. It was the wonder drug for all women trying to get pregnant or for those of us trying to combat the symptoms caused by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Women who had never had a regular menstrual cycle suddenly were regular as rain. Women who had been trying to have a baby for years suddenly were having twins. How I wished that were me… but sadly it was not.

As it happens, I had another neighbor who suffered from some of the same symptoms of PCOS that I did. While out in our yards one day she asked me how things were going with the Metformin and was not surprised when I broke down in tears telling her how horrible I felt. She too had suffered from adverse reactions to the drug and understood my frustrations. She suggested that I try a more natural solution that would help give me a total body and mind makeover. The treatment she used was called the Insulite 5 Element System which combines diet, exercise, vitamins, addiction/cravings awareness and support components to help reverse Insulin Resistance. Insulin Resistance — the root cause of PCOS — causes the body to
1000
improperly utilize insulin making it unable to convert glucose to energy and causing hormonal imbalance.

Today, I am feeling healthier than ever. I understand that in order to combat PCOS I need to eat a low carbohydrate diet, take multiple supplements and exercise regularly. I have learned that when I do not do these things I start to feel sluggish and my body slips back into its old bad habits of growing unwanted facial hair and gaining weight at warp speed. Despite the work it takes, I can tell you that I am a much happier person when following the Insulite PCOS System. It sure beats taking Metformin and suffering from its debilitating side effects.

By: Heather Bishara

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

For more information on the Insulite PCOS System visit www.pcos.insulitelabs.com.

Diagnosing and Treating PCOS : The Golden Scribe

Syndrome means that there are several symptoms which combine to help diagnose PCOS. These symptoms range widely, but can include male-pattern hairiness on the face and the rest of the body, infertility, insulin resistance, overweight or …

More adrenal source of hormone excess than ovarian – PCOS Message …

To find a natural solution for my pcos symptoms. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. [url=” To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. …

Alternative treatments for polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS)

With infertility on the rise, polycystic ovarian disease (PCOS) has become the pet diagnosis of choice for many doctors. It is virtually impossible to prove or disprove since symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient and some …

Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did and please if you have something to say, use the comments form below to let everyone know your thoughts.

Have a great day!

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Since the dawn of time, the medical community and the people involved in it have been unable to fully resolve a long standing dilemma which poses problems both from an ethical and physiological perspective: the potential degree of harm created as a result of medicine that is prescribed. It is a fundamental law Read the rest of this entry »

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Around The World – Yahoo! News UK

It shines light on a trend by health authorities and large corporations to dangle money or vouchers to people who quit smoking, lose weight, practise safe sex or take vital medications.

The idea is to provide a carrot for a healthier lifestyle. And when someone becomes healthier, Read the rest of this entry »

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PCOS vs. Cushing's–somebody PLEASE help me!?

I am struggling to find discrepancies. I have an appt. with my GP next week and while I am by NO means trying to diagnose myself, I would like to have a direction. I understand that Cushing's is under-diagnosed, so I really don't want to ignore it. PCOS Read the rest of this entry »

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To those of you who conceived children naturally, thank God everyday for your blessings. For those of us who aren't so lucky, something needs to change in the healthcare system. Only 13 states require infertility coverage, but there are still ways around those requirements. The other 37 have no mandate for infertility insurance coverage at all. This has forced so many couples to find other ways to pay CASH in hopes that a very complicated treatment will be successful and they might be able to have a family. I don't know about the rest of the world, but I don't have $20000 lying around. The lack of infertility healthcare has plunged so many couples into a bottomless debt with no guarantee of having a family. Second mortgages, multiple credit cards, lines of credit, and selling of personal items, are the tip of what a couple have to sacrifice in hopes of having a baby. Self-inflicted sicknesses, such as drug or alcohol abuse, are covered for treatment. Why are those covered, but infertility is not? Infertility randomly affects people, just like cancer or diabetes. It is essential that infertility victims receive the same rights and proper care as those with other health concerns. Infertility is a sickness that shouldn’t drive couples to being broke and unable to afford to live.

Infertility is a very real problem today. CDC estimates indicate that as many as six million women of child bearing age are having trouble conceiving a child. In married couples this amounts to about two million of all couples. Nine million women have used infertility services at some point in their lives. One condition that causes some of these cases of infertility is polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. Between six and ten percent of all women have PCOS to some extent. While many women are able to conceive and bear children naturally in spite of this condition, it can make getting pregnant difficult for some.

What Is PCOS?

PCOS is an endocrine disorder that causes cysts to grow in the ovaries. Women with POCS will have eight or more cysts that are 10 mm in diameter or smaller in the ovaries, and these cysts can cause difficulties with ovulation. The cysts cause the ovaries to be larger than the ovaries in healthy women. The condition can cause late periods and difficulties when the woman tries to get pregnant.

Interestingly, PCOS tends to be more common in diabetic women than non-diabetic women. While women who are not categorized as diabetics can have the condition, it is often accompanied by higher-than-normal insulin levels. This has led some researchers to speculate that there is a correlation between diabetes and PCOS, although the link has yet to be proven.

Symptoms of PCOS

The symptoms of PCOS are usually what cause a woman to seek treatment. Infertility is one common symptom that sends women to the doctor. However, there are other symptoms of the condition as well, including:

· Irregular or late periods

· Lack of ovulation

· Increased levels of testosterone

· Six months or more of pelvic pain

· Being overweight· Diabetes

· Cholesterol problems

· Hypertension

· Excessive hair growth, especially on the face

· Hair loss· Skin problems

· Skin tags

While these symptoms can indicate a variety of problems, they do point to PCOS. However, they can appear to be completely unrelated problems, and for this reason many women who have the condition are not diagnosed very quickly. The doctors, instead, focus on treating each of the symptoms individually, especially if the doctor cannot feel the cysts on the ovaries. However, a combination of these symptoms, especially when accompanied by fertility problems, is a good indication that PCOS may be the culprit.

Treatment for PCOS

PCOS needs to be treated, because the condition can lead to other serious health problems in the future, such as endometrical cancer and heart disease. While these are serious conditions, most women seek to treat their PCOS so that they can get pregnant. Regardless of the reason, treatment is essential.

Treatment for PCOS tends to focus on treating the symptoms, rather than the disease itself, as the cause of the condition is still unknown. Women who suffer from irregular or late periods often are put on birth control to stabilize the menstrual cycle. This does not work, however, for women who are trying to get pregnant. Other conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes, are also treated with medications.

Many women who have PCOS and are struggling with infertility find that their infertility issues are calmed somewhat when they go on insulin medications. This often helps to regulate periods and promote ovulation, which can help a woman to get pregnant. A healthy weight, which is sometimes difficult to attain with this condition, can also improve fertility.

Getting Pregnant with PCOS

If you are diagnosed with PCOS, it does not mean that you will be unable to get pregnant. However, you may find it more difficult to get pregnant with this condition, and you may also have a problem with miscarriages. Estimates indicate that women with PCOS have a 45% miscarriage rate. Before you try to get pregnant, talk to your obstetrician about the hurdles you will be overcoming as someone with this condition. There are steps you can take prior to getting pregnant to reduce your chances of having a miscarriage.

Remember that PCOS is one of the most common fertility problems in women, so your doctor will be trained on how to treat this condition. Also, many of the medications used to treat the symptoms of PCOS are dangerous for babies in the womb, so you may need to work with your doctor to adjust your medications before you begin trying to conceive.

Start by getting as healthy as you possibly can. Adding exercise and a healthy diet to your life will help balance the insulin problems your body is probably facing. Also, being at a healthy weight before you get pregnant will lower your chances of developing gestational diabetes, which is common among PCOS patients. Lower the amount of fat and carbohydrates in your diet as much as possible.

If you have gotten your weight under control and are taking medication for insulin resistance and still find that you are not ovulating, your doctor will probably prescribe an ovulation medication, such as Clomid. This will stimulate your ovaries towards ovulation, which must occur if you are going to get pregnant. Once you begin ovulating, start charting your body temperatures to learn when you ovulate. Your morning body temperature will spike slightly around the time of ovulation, and this is when you are going to be fertile. If you have tried to conceive using these medications and proper planning and still are unsuccessful, you may wish to consider intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization to help you successfully conceive. Your doctor will be able to advise you as to which of these treatments is likely to be successful.

Remember, it can take a lot of time and medical care to get pregnant while suffering from PCOS. It is possible, but you need to be patient. Choose a physician that you trust and feel comfortable with, as you will be spending many hours in his or her office in the next few months. Also, try not to stress about getting pregnant. Stress hormones can interfere with fertility, making it even harder for you to conceive. Relax, follow your doctor’s orders, and enjoy the process. Soon you will be holding that bouncing baby you have been dreaming about for so long. If you don’t want to visit a doctor you can use my method to get pregnant with PCOS, using an online pregnancy method at http://Child-Wish.com/.

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Yahoo! UK News Message Boards – Diet – Obesity – does this cause discrimination?

I can't agree more … I've done a straw poll of the messaages here and most of the vitriol comes from men (not all I hasten to add) … the women, in the whole, are understanding, better educated in their health Read the rest of this entry »

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