Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a serious genetic, hormone, metabolic and reproductive disorder that affects women and girls. It is the leading cause of female infertility and a precursor for other serious conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and endometrial cancer.
PCOS Awareness Month is a federally designated event. The aim of PCOS Awareness Month is to help improve the lives of those affected by PCOS and to help them to overcome their symptoms as well as prevent and reduce their risks for life-threatening related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cancer.
What is PCOS?
PCOS stands for polycystic ovary syndrome, also called polycystic ovary disease, Stein-Leventhal syndrome. It is a variable disorder that is marked especially by amenorrhea, hirsutism, obesity, infertility, and ovarian enlargement and is usually initiated by an elevated level of luteinizing hormone, androgen, or estrogen which results in an abnormal cycle of gonadotropin release by the pituitary.
Why Awareness about PCOS is necessary?
Public awareness of PCOS is necessary because over half of the 10,000,000 people that have it, are unaware of it. Awareness helps the public understand that symptoms like irregular periods and pelvic pain are not something to be ignored and getting it checked is necessary. While there is no cure for PCOS, there are treatments that can help ease the stress and complications of specific symptoms. The more people that are informed of PCOS the better chances for early diagnosis.
The teal colored ribbon-
PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Awareness month uses the teal color ribbon. The teal ribbon represents the challenge of breaking the silence about various symptoms associated with infertility and depression.
The goals and ideals of PCOS awareness month are to:
- increase awareness of, and education about, PCOS among the general public, women, girls, and healthcare professionals;
- improve diagnosis and treatment of the disorder;
- disseminate information on diagnosis and treatment options;
- improve quality of life and outcomes for women and girls with PCOS;
- promote the need for further research, improved treatment and care options and for a cure for PCOS;
- acknowledge the struggles affecting all women and girls afflicted with PCOS;
- urge medical researchers and healthcare professionals to advance their understanding of PCOS in order to research, diagnose, and provide assistance to women and girls with PCOS;
- encourage countries, states, territories and localities to make PCOS a public health priority.
Courtesy : pcosaa, vantagefit, pcosawarenessmonth
