Why Dr. Zhang Promotes PCOS Awareness in September

During the month of September, Dr. John Zhang promotes Polycistic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness to his patients and the general public. PCOS is a serious reproductive disorder that affects teenage girls and grown women. PCOS is the leading cause of female infertility. PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association sponsors this movement offers supportive resources, information, and PCOS awareness events. The best treatment for infertile women suffering from PCOS is IVF. Women suffering from infertility due to PCOS respond very well to injectable fertility medications and have a high percentage rate of successful ovulation.

PCOS Awareness

Because they don’t know the signs and symptoms, most women don’t suspect PCOS is the cause of their inability to get pregnant. PCOS is a condition causing up to 20 percent of women in America to be infertile due to cysts growing on the ovaries. This occurs when a women generate excessive androgens – male hormones.

Signs and Symptoms of PCOS

• Irregular menstrual periods
• Pelvic pain
• Excess hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, thighs
• Weight gain
• Acne and oily skin
• Patches of thickened skin

Complications of PCOS can include:

• Infertility
• Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
• Miscarriage or premature birth
• Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis — a severe liver inflammation caused by fat accumulation in the liver
• Metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels that significantly increase your risk of cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Depression, anxiety and eating disorders
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer)

Ovulation Problems Due to PCOS

• No ovulation (anovulation)
• Infrequent or irregular ovulation

Menstrual Cycle Problems Due to PCOS

Irregular menstrual cycles occur when a woman does not ovulate regularly

• No periods at all
• Infrequent periods
• Periods that occur too frequently
• Heavy periods lasting for many days/weeks
• Bleeding/Spotting occurring between apparently normal cycles

Important Fertility Awareness Movements

Other fertility awareness dates throughout the year.

• Cervical Health Awareness Month: January
• Endometriosis Awareness Month: March
• National Woman’s Health Week: May 8^th – 14^th
• World Infertility Awareness Month: June
• Men’s Health Month: June
• Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: September
• Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month: October
• Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day: October 15^th

Avid Promoter of PCOS Awareness

It is important to work with a fertility specialist having the education and clinical experience required to design a customized fertility treatment plan meeting your personal needs. To schedule your initial consultation with Dr. John Zhang at New Hope Fertility Center –call 917.525.5496.