Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Advocacy

Up to 10% of women and girls worldwide have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a complex hormonal disorder for which there is no cure and less than half know they have it.
For many, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome means having to face daily battles with a range of symptoms that can vary from woman to woman such as infertility (PCOS is the leading cause of infertility in women worldwide), dark skin patches, obesity, acne, hair loss, excess facial and body hair and skin tags.
PCOS is a physical and emotional drain on many individuals with the syndrome due to the devastating external manifestations and hormonal imbalances produced as a result of this syndrome.

Additionally, many women with PCOS are insulin resistant, a condition that raises the level of insulin circulating in the body and in many cases causes women with PCOS to become overweight or obese.
If left untreated PCOS can be a precursor to many life threatening conditions including type II diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and kidney problems. This means PCOS contributes to some of the leading causes of death and disability in women today!
As a result of these conditions, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Carries a High Price Literally and Figuratively.
According to the Endocrine Society, screening for PCOS may reduce the overall economic burden associated with the condition

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine-related condition of reproductive-aged women affects nearly 4 million women in the U.S. and costs $4.36 billion annually, according to the report released by The Endocrine Society.

According to the Endocrine Society, screening for PCOS may reduce the overall economic burden associated with the condition. Following are highlights from the study:

-. Costs from PCOS-associated diabetes = $1.77 billion
-. Costs from treating menstrual dysfunction/abnormal uterine bleeding associated with PCOS = $1.35 billion
-. Costs from treating hirsutism (excessive hair growth), a side effect of PCOS, =$622 million. (Excess hair typically appears on the face and extremities, while hair on the head thins.)
-. Costs from providing infertility care for PCOS patients = $533 million
These costs are compared to the costs of the initial evaluation of PCOS, which are estimated at $93 million

It is evident change has to happen and happen soon.
Members of the PCOS Community have started to speak very openly about their struggles, symptoms, and trials to overcome the condition and to help other women and girls understand the syndrome and seek the proper resources to help them manage their lives with PCOS.

Many women with PCOS have gone through, years without the proper diagnosis and not knowing
what was truly wrong. Although PCOS is a endocrine disturbance, many medical professionals still view the syndrome as a gynecological problem and only address the syndrome when issues of infertility arise. As a result, single women, older women and those not trying to get pregnant often still have little chance of being diagnosed.

Part of the problem, then and now, is that the PCOS symptoms manifest themselves in different ways. In fact, not all affected women have cystic ovaries. Women with PCOS can have any combination of symptoms of varying severity. As a result, researchers, doctors and women themselves look at the symptoms individually rather than collectively.

All around it is becoming quite clear that this is a condition that can no longer be shoved into the back of a closet. It is a legitimate health concern that needs to be addressed for the health an well-being of millions of women, girls and their families worldwide.

Advocacy campaigns, information and peitions are starting to crop up such as the PCOS Online petition.
Shares comments and stories from women, famileis and supporters worldwide in hopes of raising awareness and change.

For additional information please contact:
Ashley Tabeling
PCOS Awareness Advocate
ashleytabeling (at) yahoo.com
*Request a PCOS Press Kit

Contributed by Ashley Tabeling, she has served the PCOS Community for over six years including founder of PCOS Pals, author of The PCOS Online Peition. Executive DIrector for PCOSA, Advisory Board member for PCOStratgies and cooridnator of educational symposiums and conferences for PCOS. Recently Ms. Tabeimg has been specializing in PR and Awareness for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome including – The Gloucester County Times, Woman’s World Magazine, Disability World, WCAU 10! Show, Mystery Diagnosis on DHC and TLC and PCOS Today Magazine.

Short URL: http://www.womendiary.net/?p=539

Posted by woman on Aug 28 2006. Filed under Women Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry