One of the Major Causes of Infertility

PCOS..."Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" affects about 1 out of every 10 women. It can actually strike as young as 11 years old. The cause is unknown, but it is suspected that there could be a genetic tie.

It can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, hormones, heart health, blood vessels and general appearance. It has been linked to diabetes, thyroid disorders and weight gain.

Some of the symptoms include, but are not limited to:

Missed periods

Ovarian cysts

High cholesterol

High blood pressure

Thinning hair

Discolored skin

Skin tags

Anxiety

Depression

Acne

Oily skin

Increased hair growth on face

Women with PCOS may experience some of these symptoms but not all women will experience the same symptoms.

PCOS causes a woman's ovaries to not produce hormones. Without hormones, such as progesterone, a woman's eggs are unable to mature. Instead, the egg can turn into a cyst. The eggs are kept in the follicle. It is the follicle that is filled with liquid to keep the egg safe during maturity. If the hormones are not present that are needed to mature the egg, the follicle just continues to fill with fluid and becomes a cyst. No mature egg means no ovulation, and no ovulation means no period, and if there is no ovulation and no period, you are looking at infertility.

There is no cure for PCOS, but it can be managed. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and treat you accordingly.

This is just a brief outline of PCOS and what can go along with it. For more information, ask your doctor. You can also call the National Women's Health Information Center @ 1-800-994-9662.

Other resources include:
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
http://www.asrm.org

Center for Applied Reproductive Science
http://www.ivt-et.com

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association, Inc
http://www.pcosupport.org

Good luck and hope that this information was helpful.

Some of the information in this article was provided by http://www.4women.gov/faq/pcos.html