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Grace Lipsini1 2 3
Grace Lipsini1 2 3
Grace Lipsinic
Prof. Riley
English Comp. 2
27 April 2021
Throughout the entirety of the world, “1 in 5 women” suffer from PCOS (Polycystic
Ovarian Syndrome): a chronic hormonal disorder common among women in the reproductive
age (Mayo Clinic) (“Polycystic Ovary Syndrome”). Common symptoms of this diagnosis include
irregular periods, an increase in excess androgen (a male hormone), and polycystic ovaries
(Mayo Clinic). With the research and application of modern studies, the number of diagnosed-
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, experts are still unaware of the definitive cause(s) of PCOS and it
continues to be an up-battling diagnosis without a cure. Though many doctors are aware of the
existence of PCOS and its popularity, why is its’ diagnosis still so poorly understood?
gynecologists, Irving F. Stein and Michael L. Leventhal, but its existence was first discovered in
Ovary Syndrome”). He described a married, infertile woman with “shiny ovaries with a white
surface” in which the ovaries were “the size of pigeon eggs.” However, it wasn’t until the 1990s
before definitive criteria were made for PCOS by the NIH (National Institution of Health)
Vallisneri (Dorota Szydlarska). Ever since PCOS became an official diagnosis, many studies
have been done thus far, and It had been found that PCOS is most likely due to genetics(Mayo
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Clinic), but there is no definitive cause for its diagnosis. It is believed that the percentage of
PCOS-diagnosed women from decades or even centuries ago, have stayed the about same, but
with the adaption of modern technology the criteria of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome has been
refined (Dorota Szydlarska). Doctors and gynecologists may recommend pelvic exams, blood
work, and even ultrasounds before an official diagnosis is made(Mayo Clinic). However, many
women suffer from PCOS unknowingly and are not officially diagnosed.
With the adaption of modern medicine, treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome has
improved and each will vary depending on the individual; the level of PCOS a woman could
have can differ from person to person. Gynecologists may recommend birth control pills or
progestin to regulate periods and stunt unwanted hair growth, or lifestyle changes, such as diet
and exercise, and even acne medications, like spironolactone to balance hormones (Mayo
Clinic). In essence, these medications have been proven effective, however, these medications,
like many others, come with risks and do not work for every patient. Birth control pills, for
instance, can cause sore breasts, nausea, and in some serious cases, blood clots.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is a very common disorder and it’s not new to
science. Yet, there are still some common misconceptions regarding its diagnosis. Some doctors
view that only overweight or “obese” patients are known to have PCOS, which is a common
mistake (Ally Fullmer) (“5 Myths of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome”). This stereotype is widely
known to many because PCOS patients suffer from insulin-resistance. When one’s body resists
insulin (a natural hormone), it causes the body to demand more insulin and triggers the ovaries to
produce more hormones (Medical Centric) (“Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Causes, Signs and
Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment”). This can lead to both obesity, inflammation, and higher
levels of androgen (Abraham Subeka) (“Association of Metabolic and Inflammatory Markers with
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome”). Doctors may recommend losing weight with diet and exercise,
but many patients who aren’t considered “obese” are known to suffer from PCOS (Ally
Fullmer). Not only that, but androgen is also not the only excess hormone that PCOS patients’
over-produce. PCOS patients, additionally, are known to produce higher amounts of estrogen (a
female hormone) (Ally Fullmer). Increases in estrogen can “lead to a build-up of lining of the
uterus which is a major risk factor for [developing] uterine cancer,” says Doctor Sloane.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome affects women with different potencies and with
differentiating symptoms. For instance, infertility and obesity. Though conceiving as a PCOS
patient can prove difficult (because most cannot track their ovulation) and obesity being a
common symptom, it’s important to note that a woman can still get pregnant with PCOS and that
a women’s weight has absolutely nothing to do with its diagnosis (Ally Fullmer).
continues to be misconceptions regarding its diagnosis. PCOS is not a disease, but it can be a
disorder one can develop. Which is a good reason why PCOS bewilders both doctors and
gynecologists. Though its definitive cause is still unknown, there has been significant
improvements in the knowledge of PCOS. Though, PCOS is not a diagnosis one can get rid of,
Work Cited
Abraham Gnanadass, Subeka, et al. “Association of Metabolic and Inflammatory Markers with
Fullmer, Ally. “5 Myths About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).” Penn Medicine, 18 Mar.
2020, www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/fertility-blog/2020/march/five-myths-about-
pcos.
“Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and
v=16LB2VRUjP0.
“Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education
treatment/drc-20353443.
www.advances.umed.wroc.pl/pdf/2017/26/3/555.pdf.