Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is a condition in which the ovaries contain many cysts that are often fluid filled. It is said to be the most common endocrinologic disorder for modern-day women. According to the Health and Wellness Resource Center, ovaries are small organs in the lower abdomen of females. In fact, each one is only the size of an almond! However, with PCOS, as they fill with cysts, they must enlarge to accommodate the cysts. The US Department of Health and Human Services states that every 1 in 10 and 1 in 20 women of childbearing age have PCOS. Also, they state that as many as five million women in the United States alone may be affected. Even girls as young as eleven years old may be affected by PCOS. So, this has become a large part of the modern-day experience for many women and girls.

The history of PCOS is rather interesting as it dates back to the time of the ancient Egyptians. However, they did very little documenting of the syndrome. Later on during the early 400 to 377 b.c. Hippocrates was one of the first physicians to begin documenting PCOS’ occurrences in the women of his day. He notes, “But those women whose menstruation is less than three days or is meagre, are robust, with a healthy complexion and a masculine appearance; yet they are not concerned about bearing children nor do they become pregnant;” (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Ancient Disorder?; April 2011).

It is said that the cause of PCOS is not known exactly, however, researchers and clinicians believe that PCOS tends to occur in women whose ovaries produce more male hormones than female hormones. In fact the outward signs and symptoms can be that of too much facial and body hair, weight gain, and darkening and/or thi...

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...dern-day science has created many ways to diagnosis this syndrome, so many women who are affected go undiagnosed.

Works Cited

Eisenberg, Esther, MD, MPH (2010, March 17), Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; retrieved from http://www.womensheath.org. US Department of Health and Human Service.

Unknown Author (2012, May 1), Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome; retrieved from Health and Wellness Resource Center at http://www.lirn.net.

Diamanti-Kandarakis, Evanthia, MD (2008 January), Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Molecular Aspects and Clinical Implications; retrieved from Proquest Health and Medical Complete http://www.lirn.net

Azziz, Ricardo, MD, MPH, MBA, Dumesic, Daniel, MD, Goodarzi, Mark O., MD, PhD; April 2011, Vol. 95, No. 5 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Ancient Disorder?; retrieved from Editor’s Corner Fertility and Sterility, http://www.lirn.net.