September is PCOS Awarness Month

PCOS Awarness Month
September is PCOS Awarness month. I have PCOS, it is the reason for my infertility. PCOS is a part of my life, it effects the way my body deals with insulin, my hair loss on the top of my head (yes I have a bald spot), if effects my menstral cycles, it also makes me sometime not ovulate, which is really bad since I want to so bad to be a mom, it effects my weight gain/loss. PCOS has so many symptoms it's insane. I have to take Metformin twice a day to lower my insulin due to PCOS, and most people don't know this about me, they might know that I am dealing with infertility but I figure since it is PCOS Awarness Month I thought I should spread the word, for those of you that don't think you have it, GOOD I don't want you to have it lol, but you may know someone else that might. SO SPREAD THE WORD!!!! Get educated, google PCOS for more information. I've also included some info from other websites.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome At A Glance
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an illness characterized by irregular or no periods, acne, obesity, and excess hair growth.
Women with PCOS are at a higher risk for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
With proper treatment, risks can be minimized. Ideal treatment is directed to each of the manifestations of PCOS.
What are the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?
The symptoms of PCOS include:
Irregular or no menstrual periods
Acne
Obesity, and
Excess hair growth
Other signs and symptoms of PCOS include:
weight gain,
acne,
oily skin,
dandruff,
infertility,
skin discolorations,
high cholesterol levels,
elevated blood pressure, and
abnormal hair growth and distribution.
Any of the above symptoms and signs may be absent in PCOS, with the exception of irregular or no menstrual periods. All women with PCOS will have irregular or no menstrual periods. Women who have PCOS do not regularly ovulate; that is, they do not release an egg every month. This is why they do not have regular periods.
No one is quite sure what causes PCOS. Although women with PCOS often have a mother or sister with the condition, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that the condition may be inherited. The ovaries of women with PCOS frequently contain a number of small cysts, hence the name poly (many) cystic ovarian syndrome. A similar number of cysts may occur in women without PCOS. Therefore, the cysts themselves do not seem to be the cause of the problem. A malfunction of the body's blood sugar control system (insulin system) is frequent in women with PCOS, and researchers believe that these abnormalities may be related to the development of PCOS. It is known that the ovaries of women with PCOS produce excess amounts of male hormone known as androgen. This excessive production of male hormones may be a result of the abnormalities in insulin production.
Women with PCOS are at a higher risk for a number of illnesses, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer). Much of this risk can be reversed by exercise and weight loss. Additionally, it is important for women with PCOS to have regular periods. If a woman does not have regular periods, her risk of cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer) is increased. Medication is generally prescribed to induce regular periods. Obesity is a complication of PCOS. Reducing the medical risks from PCOS-associated obesity requires hard work on the part of the woman with PCOS and is often frustrating.
Here is a quick test... http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnBjb3N1cHBvcnQub3JnL3N1cHBvcnQvcXVpei5waHA=
This next segment is from...http://pcos.insulitelabs.com/blog/index.php?p=199
Almost 7 million women in the U.S. alone have PCOS and less than half know they have the syndrome. Public information and awareness of the symptoms and the serious nature of the disorder are crucial to identifying women in need of treatment.
September is National PCOS Awareness Month and we invite you to think about how you can become an advocate for PCOS awareness this month and into the future.
As difficult as it may be for many of us to talk about PCOS, I ask you to join other PCOSA members, women with PCOS and their friends and become involved to make a difference. You could potentially help someone who is unaware that they have the syndrome. Just think how wide PCOS awareness could spread if we all took action.
We ask you to share your knowledge of PCOS with others. Our goal is to foster knowledge and sensitivity to those with the condition. Have you ever told someone about PCOS who has never heard of the syndrome before? Was their reaction shock, disbelief or confusion as to why they had never heard of this before, since it is so common?
Perhaps you have a mother, daughter, sister, or female friend who is overweight and honestly not sure why. Perhaps a female friend suffers from excess facial hair, but mistakenly assumes this is only a cosmetic problem. Tell them they can start by taking the quiz at http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnBjb3N1cHBvcnQvcXVpei5waHA= which will help them to evaluate their risks and will guide them toward "next steps" in seeking help from a doctor. Help spread the word about PCOS. You never know who may learn from us and in turn, get the help they need.
As you work toward your healthy summer achievements, think about what you can do to make sure that your overall health is your focus throughout the year. Awareness of PCOS is not about identifying with a disease, it's about recognizing the advantages to healthy living, and the impact that has to your quality of life and to your longevity.
PCOSA is now accepting donations for our PCOS Awareness Auction, to be held during the month of September. Do you have an item to donate? Can you solicit something from a local business or friend? We are looking for hotel certificates, restaurant gift certificates, spa services, handmade items, gift baskets, theme park tickets…you name it! Please contact Andrea at pcosa.auction@gmail.com for more information about donating an item or items.