I know many of you are in the Houston area, and I know that the number of women being diagnosed with PCOS is growing in leaps and bounds, so I thought someone might be interested in participating in this research project. It's taking place at Breco Research, Inc. located in Houston, Texas.

For those who do not know, PCOS is polycystic ovarian syndrome and is a leading cause of infertility, along with other major physical issues. Symptoms include infrequent or absence of menstruation, hair issues (some in places where it doesn't belong, and loss of head hair), persistent weight gain - especially when there are no real changes in eating or lifestyle, ovarian cysts, and a myriad of other problems ranging from skin tags to acne.

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2001

Answers

Robyn,

PCOS shares a few symptoms with low Thyroid Function, as well. Since I had my thyroid corrected, the hairloss has stopped, and the weight gain had begun to reverse it'self...but the menstration thing hasn't really been corrected. I'm going to go try to find a PCOS information site...since I'm only 33, and should'nt be having these sorts of problems just yet... Thanks for the info.

Trees

-- Anonymous, February 23, 2001

You might check out www.soulcysters.com. There is an amazing amount of information there.

PCOS does often trigger doctors to do a thyroid test. Mine was tested probably a dozen times between the ages of 13 and 18, always normal. I'm flabbergasted by the number of women that I see who have it, after years of not only being the only person I knew who was diagnosed, but also the joy of having to explain what it was (as much as I understood) to my doctors while under military health care. There are so many symptoms, and it is rarely given attention until it causes infertility problems. The most amazing thing is finding out the relation to insulin resistance and finally knowing the reason behind the weight problems.

There are skinny cysters out there too, although I only know of a few. Really, if you have irregular periods, it's something to check into. You just might recognize a lot of things going on with your body that you didn't realize were related to one underlying cause. Or, you might be able to sit back and say "Damn, am I glad I don't have *that* to deal with!".

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2001

Robyn,

Thanks...I just realized that I have a friend who had all of those symptoms as well, and her thyroid has been tested a bazillion times...but comes out normal.

I'll pass this on to her as well.

Trees

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2001