Polycystic ovary syndrome (commonly abbreviated as “PCOS”) isn’t a medical condition that’s discussed every day, which is one of the reasons so many fertility clinics have supported a movement to make September PCOS Awareness Month. However, it’s important to realize that PCOS, a common cause of infertility in women, is a condition that should be considered year-round.
Ironically, a good many women are unaware that they have PCOS, as symptoms can be mild to practically invisible. For instance, in the early stages of the condition, a woman may simply have missed or irregular menstrual periods, acne, oily skin and/or depression. Because these can be signs of very typical female issues (including PMS), many women have no inkling that PCOS is the culprit.
As PCOS develops further, women may experience weight gain, another natural phenomenon that isn’t necessary a cause for instant alarm. Some females also have problems with their breathing, including sleep apnea.
When PCOS is usually discovered is after a woman has repeated miscarriages or difficulty in getting pregnant. It’s at this point reproductive specialists like those at Reproductive Science Institute (RSI) must make a thorough evaluation.
Could you have PCOS? Perhaps. And if you’ve had any of the abovementioned symptoms, especially those relating to reproduction, we urge you to contact your primary care physician or set up a consultation at a reputable fertility clinic.