WOMEN'S HEALTH

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects an estimated 6 million women.
It is the most common cause of menstrual irregularity in reproductive-aged women. PCOS accounts for 75% of women with infertility due to lack of ovulation, 30-50% of women with no mentrual periods, and 85-90% of women with rare, erratic periods.
The symptoms of PCOS beyond mentrual irregularities include:    
   -Impaired fertility
   -Increased miscarriage rates
   -Excessive hair growth and acne from elevated testosterone
   -Refractory obesity
   -Abnormal insulin action (affected women have a greater long-term risk
    of developing diabetes mellitus)
   -Abnormal blood lipids resulting in heart disease
   -Other long-term ramifications of chronic anovulation such as an     increased rate of breast cancer

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