Question about PCOS
 

what is PCOS? i read it in another post or two and i just dont get it. my daughter takes glucophage so i assume it is something to do with diabetes.

Hi aimie. pcos stands for polycystic ovarian syndrome. It used to be called polycystic ovarian disease but I suppose the powers that be didn't think it was serious enough to be called a disease. It is simply when one or both of a woman's ovaries (and possibly her fallopian tubes) are covered to one degree or another with what are normally benign cysts. It isn't usually painful but does cause a cessation of interruption of menstruation. If left untreated over time the cessation of mentruation can lead to cancer of the endometrium. My mother and I have both had pcos and endometrial cancer. Diabetes is something entirely different. My mother and I have that too. If you suspect your daughter might have pcos don't delay. Have her treated as quickly as possible. As you might have guessed I have issues. Take care. Hope1

Actually, you don't have to have cysts to have PCOS. I don't. The reason the name has somewhat changed is that a disease implies a known cause, while a syndrome is a mass of symptoms indicative of a problem without a definitive cause. The big test for PCOS is a blood test for LH and FSH hormone levels, with at least twice the LH compared to FSH being considered positive for PCOS. Also, symptoms including excessive hair, weight gain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sporadic or absent menstrual cycles are signs of PCOS.

People with PCOS are often insulin resistant (sometimes called pre-diabetes). People with IR take glucophage to control their insulin levels so they do not become type II diabetic. It's the same drug your daughter takes with the same purpose.

Quite agree there. I don't actually have the cysts but I have PCOS which was diagnosed through the irregular/heavy/no periods at all, and LH & FSH blood tests. I have gone on to get Diabetes Type II because of PCOS - apparently....... The Metformin makes the cells insulin sensitive - which is what is amiss in PCOS and Type II diabetes.