Thousands Have PCOS and Don't Know It {Kat note: address for the new PCOS center is at the end of the article}
By Jeannie Blaylock
First Coast News
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Maybe you have PCOS and your doctor hasn't figured it out.
Cindy is a Jacksonville mom who understands the frustration. She has battled her weight for years. She has tried every skin cream under the sun, it seems, and nothing helped her acne.
She also had infertility problems and her cycles were out of whack. She also has had to pluck hair in places she didn't want it.
Cindy is a classic case of a woman with PCOS.
But, she says, when a doctor finally diagnosed her, she had never heard of PCOS. And, she says, "I'm a nurse."
PCOS is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Dr. Kevin Winslow, a well-known reproductive endocrinologist in Jacksonville, has just opened a new center in Jacksonville to help women diagnose and treat PCOS.
Dr. Winslow says the center is the first of its kind in our region. He estimates some 30,000 women on the First Coast have PCOS and don't know it.
It's a condition in which women have too much male hormone. But it's not hard to diagnose and it's treatable. Most insurance companies cover it, he says.
Dr. Winslow has wanted to open a center for more than a decade. "It's long overdue," he says.
The center is designed to be a relaxing place for women to come. The staff includes nutrition specialists to help women keep their weight under control.
That's important because PCOS can trigger serious trouble with diabetes and heart disease down the road.
So, Dr. Winslow says, it's important to get help.
Cindy says women should not be embarrassed. She says medication has helped her tremendously.
Now she's a mom with two children.
If you want to ask more questions, the number to the Center for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is 904-281-0119.
You can ask for Dr. Winslow's staff, which, by the way, includes Cindy. Patients say she's very helpful because she's been through PCOS for years.
The PCOS Center is located on 8075 Gate Parkway in Jacksonville.
Source:
First Coast News http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/l...=94380&ref=rss