Intro4u2u

Cecily never really worried that her periods weren’t regular because, like many girls, she assumed her monthly cycle would take time to settle down. But then Cecily’s periods stopped for several months, so she went to see her doctor. The doctor noticed that Cecily’s acne had worsened and that she had gained a lot of weight since her last appointment. She said she wanted to check Cecily for a condition called polycystic (pronounced: pah-lee-sis-tik) ovary sydrome (PCOS).
What Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

You can’t see them, hear them, or feel them, but the hormones that regulate a girl’s reproductive system make themselves known in many ways - they are responsible for her periods, breast development, and other aspects of becoming a woman.

Both girls and guys produce hormones called androgens (pronounced: an-druh-junz), which play a role in sexual function. Although androgens are sometimes referred to as male hormones, every female produces them, too.

In girls with PCOS, the ovaries produce higher than normal amounts of androgens, and this can interfere with egg development and release. Some of the eggs develop into cysts (pronounced: sists), which are little sacs filled with liquid. Instead of being released during ovulation, as an egg is during a normal menstrual cycle, the cysts build up in the ovaries and may become enlarged. Because of the way the cyst production interferes with the menstrual cycle, it’s common for girls and women with PCOS to have irregular or missed periods.

Although PCOS (which used to be called Stein-Leventhal syndrome) was first recognized in the 1930s, doctors can’t say for sure what causes it. Research has suggested that PCOS may be related to increased insulin production in the body. Women with PCOS may produce too much insulin, which signals their ovaries to release extra male hormones. PCOS seems to run in families, too, so if someone on your mom’s or dad’s side of the family has it, you might be more likely to develop it.

If PCOS is not treated properly, it can put a girl at risk for lots of problems, such as infertility, excessive hair growth, acne, diabetes, heart disease, abnormal bleeding from the uterus, and cancer. The good news is that, although there’s no cure for PCOS, it can be treated. The most important step is diagnosing the condition, because when a girl gets treatment for PCOS, her chances of having serious side effects are reduced.