The University of New South Wales have just published some excellent videos on the subject of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, in fact they are some of the best explanations I have seen of PCOS and its symptoms.

So, I hope they don’t mind if I feature them here as I’m sure they will be of interest to you.

This video describes what PCOS is:

As Dr John Eden says,the aim of the video is to inform and empower women with PCOS so they can get the help they need.

I hope it helped you.

In my last video, I shared a little about my journey with PCOS. In this video I talk about my experiences with the traditional medical route for PCOS treatment.

I was disappointed with my initial doctor’s response to discovering I had Polycystic Ovaries i.e. he offered no help whatsoever, so I went and found a new doctor who was more interested in PCOS. I recommend you do the same, and if you can you should ask for the referral to an Endocrinologist.

More doctors are accepting PCOS as a condition that should be taken seriously, but not all of them. And some of those that recognise the problems of PCOS are not educated well enough in it to offer any further solutions.

I urge you to find the best PCOS doctor/specialist possible and make sure you are satisfied with the treatments they offer.

I feel terrible…

My body is complaining BIG TIME!

I wouldn’t usually admit to the debauchery of my last few days but I promised full disclosure, so here it is…

I fell off the wagon.

Actually, I didn’t just fall off, I leapt off…with both feet…willingly!

It all sounds so dramatic, but essentially what happened is that my sister came for a visit and I spent several days happily eating anything that came my way. Instead of following a mainly Vegan diet with a few non-vegan options, I went completely off program and ate all sorts of things I hadn’t planned – 4 days worth of… well, not exactly junk…but definitely not foods that allow for a balanced and healthful diet.

And now I feel pretty rubbish as a result. My body is telling me I need to stop and sort things out.

So, today I’m leaping back on that wagon, taking the reins and riding off into the sunset

On a much more positive note – take a look at this video my friend showed me today – it really made me cry, but in a good way:

And, if you want to know the story behind this video – this one is almost as moving:

And the overall message it conveys is awesome:

I thought it was about time I officially welcomed you to the PCOS Matters blog and told you a little bit of my story.

I was diagnosed with PCOS in my early ’20s, but knew that things weren’t right from my teens. I was on the BCP (Birth Control Pill) from the age of around 17 until I was 34/35 continuously, except for 9 months to a year when I was exploring homeopathy.

I was fed up with pumping my body full of drugs and have a great interest in alternative therapies.

In the next video, I’ll tell you more about those alternative therapies and my experience with traditional medicine in regards to my PCOS.

PCOS is believed to be genetic.

While, it is important to know where it has come from, you can’t change your genes, so it is important instead to focus on solutions.

It is easy to see why most people initially feel that PCOS is a gynecological problem – after all, it is called Polycystic OVARIAN Syndrome.

But, it is becoming widely accepted that PCOS is actually an endocrine disorder. In simple terms, the endocrine system is a group of glands that make hormones. These hormones control the way your body works, such as reproduction, metabolism and growth. When the hormones don’t work properly – as with PCOS – it creates a knock-on effect throughout the body.

In the case of most PCOS sufferers, too much insulin is created, which in turn affects the hormones controlling the reproductive cycle. There is excess production of male hormones (androgens).

Women with PCOS also find they have low energy levels because the insulin is not releasing the energy from food properly.

An endocrinologist is trained to diagnose and treat hormone problems by helping to restore the normal balance of hormones in your system.

To explore natural ways to reduce your PCOS symptoms take a look at Natural Ovarian Cyst and PCOS Relief Secrets.

The system addresses the root cause of the problem – the reason your body has created a cyst – not just the symptoms. You can tackle the true root causes using a natural, holistic approach… Click here to find out more

There isn’t one definitive test for PCOS, so your doctor will probably arrange a series of tests for you.

Initially, the doctor will take a medical history and learn more about your symptoms. Then you will most likely have a physical exam to check your blood pressure, weight, waist measurement and any unusual skin changes and hair growth patterns.

Lab tests may include tests for Total Testosterone, Free Testosterone, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Pro-Lactin and Progesterone Levels, as well as a Glucose Tolerance test and Lipid Profile. Plus, many doctors arrange a pelvic ultrasound as well.

Once all these results are in, your doctor should have a good view of your health and be able to tell you whether it is PCOS or another health problem.

To explore natural ways to reduce your PCOS symptoms take a look at Natural Ovarian Cyst and PCOS Relief Secrets.

The system addresses the root cause of the problem – the reason your body has created a cyst – not just the symptoms. You can tackle the true root causes using a natural, holistic approach… Click here to find out more

Many women wait years before they are finally diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome? So, how can you be sure it’s PCOS?

There are two ways to discover whether it is PCOS you are suffering from, and you should explore both in order to receive an accurate diagnosis:

1. First of all, do you have any or all of the symptoms of PCOS?

These are:

* infrequent or too frequent periods (or no period at all

* unexplained weight gain or obesity, especially around the abdomen

* increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach etc.

* acne, oily skin or dandruff

* pelvic pain

* thinning hair

* infertility or inability to get pregnant because you aren’t ovulating

* type 2 diabetes

* high blood pressure

* patches of thickened, dark skin at the nape of the neck and in other body creases (this often appears velvety)

* skin tags

* sleep apnea (excessive snoring and breathing stops while asleep)

Not all women with PCOS suffer from all these symptoms, and some of these can also be symptoms of other medical problems, so if you recognise any of these problems in yourself you should…

2. Consult a medical practitioner

Go and see your doctor and explain your symptoms. Ask them whether it could be PCOS and, if so, if they will arrange some tests to confirm it. Be open to the possibility they may suggest it is another medical problem.

Don’t self-diagnose.

PCOS – or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome – is a disorder that affects an estimated 5 to 10% of women of child bearing age, and yet many women still do not understand what it is.

Most women receive treatment from a doctor and/or a gynecologist when they believe they might have PCOS or have already been diagnosed, as these specialists can treat the individual symptoms, such as:

• problems conceiving
• adult acne
• facial and body hair
• thinning head hair
• irregular, painful and/or heavy periods
• dark, velvet-like patches around the base of the neck and in other body creases
• unexplained weight-gain

.

However, it is important to be aware of the underlying cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and seek the help of an endocrinologist.

There is still some debate as to how PCOS starts, but it is clear that it is an endocrine disorder. The endocrine system is a group of glands that make hormones. These hormones control the way your body works, such as reproduction, metabolism and growth. When the hormones don’t work normally – as with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome – it creates a knock-on effect throughout the body.

In the case of most PCOS sufferers, too much insulin is created, which in turn affects the hormones controlling the reproductive cycle. There is excess production of male hormones (androgens) resulting in symptoms such as excess facial and body hair, weight-gain around the abdomen and alopecia. Women with PCOS also find they have low energy levels because the insulin is not releasing the energy from food properly.

An endocrinologist is trained to diagnose and treat hormone problems by helping to restore the normal balance of hormones in your system.

While there is no current cure for PCOS, the right treatments can reduce symptoms and enable you to conceive naturally.

To explore natural ways to reduce your PCOS symptoms take a look at Natural Ovarian Cyst and PCOS Relief Secrets.

The system addresses the root cause of the problem – the reason your body has created a cyst – not just the symptoms.  You can tackle the true root causes using a natural, holistic approach… Click here to find out more