You Have What?

That's the response I get from people when I tell them I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). 

Since it's National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), I wanted to make people aware of PCOS. 

The following is taken directly from the PCOS Support site. 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common female endocrine disorder, affecting approximately 5%-10% of all females. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that involves multiple organ systems within the body, and is believed to be fundamentally caused by insensitivity to the hormone insulin. It can be diagnosed in all phases of life - in girls as young as 8-9 years of age, up through post-menopause. Although PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility, the reproductive aspects of the disorder are secondary. PCOS is not limited to women of reproductive age or potential.

Common symptoms of PCOS include:

• irregular or no menstrual periods (for women of reproductive age)
• irregular ovulation, with or without monthly bleeding
• acne
• excess hair growth on the face and body
• thinning scalp hair
• accumulation of unruptured follicles on the periphery of the ovaries (mislabeled as "cysts", often called polycystic ovaries)

It is not necessary to have all of these symptoms to have PCOS. In fact it is not necessary to have "polycystic ovaries" to have PCOS. PCOS manifests itself differently in each woman.

In addition to the above, approximately 60% of women with PCOS have weight management issues which can lead to obesity with only normal caloric intake. Energy in the form of glucose (food) is stored right away as fat, instead of being made available for other functions within the body. This can lead to chronic fatigue and undernourishment, despite the fact that there is adequate food intake and even an appearance of overnourishment.

However, it's important to note that 40% of women with PCOS are of normal weight, or even fall under a normal weight range.

There is no cure for PCOS, but it can be successfully managed through diet, exercise, and in some cases medical intervention. Management of PCOS is essential, as unmanaged PCOS can progress to diabetes, and can also lead to certain forms of cancer if unaddressed.

For more information on PCOS, visit the PCOS Support website.

**Due to spam comments, I have to moderate my comments for now. Please don't let that deter you from commenting.  I love hearing what you all have to say!**

NIAW 2010

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week (April 24 - May 1)

It's a movement to raise awareness about the disease of Infertility, which affects 7.3 million americans.

Most of my IF blog friends know this already, but to those who are not aware, I wanted to share with you some infertility etiquette I got from the Resolve website.

For detailed info, click on the infertility etiquette link to understand the etiquette listed.

Don't Tell Them to Relax

Don't Minimize the Problem

Don't Say There Are Worse Things That Could Happen

Don't Say They Aren't Meant to Be Parents

Don't Ask Why They Aren't Trying IVF

Don't Be Crude

Don't Complain About Your Pregnancy

Don't Treat Them Like They Are Ignorant

Don't Gossip About Your Friend's Condition

Don't Push Adoption
Let Them Know You Care

Remember Them on Mother's Day

Support Their Decision to Stop Treatments

I posted something similiar to this list last August titled 'Did I Ask For Your Advice?!'  Nothing really has changed from last year when I posted that list.  I still get some of the same comments and most of the time, people just don't really know what to say or do around us infertiles.  We're just like you....human...with feelings too. 

I hope this will educate people a little about infertility.