Some of the early symptoms of PCOS include, but are not limited to, missed or irregular periods, weight gain, acne or oily skin, male-pattern baldness, infertility, excess body hair, etc. If not treated properly, PCOS can impact your overall health and lead to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, and uterine cancer. In this article, we will discuss the most common myths about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS.
Myth 1: PCOS is a rare condition
It is estimated that as many as 1.4 million Canadian women may be afflicted with PCOS[ref]. Which makes the condition one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age.
However, according to the PCOS Foundation, less than half of all women with PCOS are diagnosed properly, which means millions of women are potentially unaware of their condition.
Myth 2: You did something to cause it
The exact cause of PCOS is yet to be found. Several factors are believed to play a role, including genetics, excess insulin, heredity, excess androgen. However, one thing is certain, you are not to blame.
Myth 3: You can get rid of PCOS by losing weight
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for PCOS, however, overweight and obese women can facilitate balance their hormone levels by losing weight. Lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and regular exercise, improve the way your body uses insulin and, therefore, regulates your hormone levels better. Your best option to control the symptoms is to see a doctor.
Myth 4: PCOS only affects overweight women
Many women who have PCOS are indeed overweight or obese. However, because PCOS symptoms include weight gain, a lot of the affected women gained weight due to PCOS. PCOS does not discriminate and can affect women of all shapes and sizes.
Myth 5: You can’t get pregnant if you have PCOS
This isn’t true for everyone. Give your body a chance by talking with your doctor about fertility treatment. A number of medications can stimulate ovulation, which is the main issue that women with PCOS face.
If you suspect you may have PCOS, don’t wait for any further and talk to one of our doctors. You are welcomed to walk in, we are located at 1000 Bay Street, Toronto.
