I don't know about people with PCOS in particular but teenagers in general questioning their sexual orientation is more common than people will admit. Some will find its permanent, others will decide they're hetero after all.
It appears(I'm not citing anything offical here) that PCOS is more prevalent in lesbians than in heterosexual women. I don't know why, perhaps something to do with higher testosterone levels during developmental puberty.
This is very true. I'm 26 and I have been dating women for about 8 years- every single woman I have been with had some symptom. Now I am not saying that all these women did have PCOS but it really opened my eyes.
I might get slammed for this but I would say more lesbian women don't post on here b/c #1- the lesbian mommy movement is only just starting so women have no idea if they are fertile #2- lesbians are not known to visit the gyno regularly- this stems from many things- mainly a notion that us lesbians don't need the doc b/c we don't need birth control OR we are embarassed or not comfy talking to our docs about our sexuality...... #3- lots of women out there identify as being "butch"...they may feel that the extra hair is a plus (who knows though- I am femme and it kills me)
I might get slammed for this but I would say more lesbian women don't post on here b/c #1- the lesbian mommy movement is only just starting so women have no idea if they are fertile #2- lesbians are not known to visit the gyno regularly- this stems from many things- mainly a notion that us lesbians don't need the doc b/c we don't need birth control OR we are embarassed or not comfy talking to our docs about our sexuality......
Possibly there are more lesbians on here and other boards than at first glance, because its not nessesarily something that would come up on another section of the site.
#3- lots of women out there identify as being "butch"...they may feel that the extra hair is a plus (who knows though- I am femme and it kills me) [/quote]
But the hair we get(or me, at any rate) isn't course enough(except on my legs) to pass as a man's. (I'm butch-ish and I hate it because it scratches.)
__________________ Just taking Estelle-35ED, and putting up with it.
Well, I am married to a man, who I do dearly love but I have had relationships with women too and at least one of them had pcos.
My mum, bless her heart, once said "is there not a pill that could take down the male hormones and then maybe you wouldnt want women"....she is horrid, just naive...but I did reply that I wish that there was something, but afraid not.
I think the hormone levels might have a bit to do with it but then again there are ALOT of straight cysters.
__________________ Me 30
DH Tom 30
**************************** Dx 1998/9~always suspected!
****************************
Levothyroxine 175mcg ~ Hypothyroidism
Diagnosed with type II diabetes 29/12/06
2000mg Metformin daily
Folic Acid ~ 5mg p/d ~ Higher than the usual.
***************************** They say that 'God' only gives us as much as we can cope with, if thats true then I wish that 'he' didnt trust my powers of coping so much!!!
Originally posted by Miss-Meme I really don't feel that this above statement is true. If it was there would be a lot more lesbians posting on here then the want to be mommies and mommies who are here.
Obviously there are others that also feel that pcos is more common in lesbian women
First proof that polycystic ovarian syndrome is more than twice as common in lesbian women
Madrid, Spain: Researchers have found the first evidence that a common cause of infertility in women is more prevalent amongst lesbians than heterosexuals[1], and they suggest that the biochemical disorder associated with the condition might contribute to the women's sexual orientation.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest cause of ovarian dysfunction in women and is caused by an imbalance of sex hormones. One of the main features of PCOS is hyperandrogenism[2], and now that the researchers have discovered the increased prevalence of PCOS amongst lesbian women they hypothesize that hyperandrogenism could be contributing to the women's sexual orientation.
Dr. Rina Agrawal, deputy medical director at the London Women's Clinic and The Hallam Medical Centre, and her colleagues examined 618 women who attended the clinic for fertility treatment between November 2001 and January 2003. Of these, 254 were lesbian and 364 were heterosexual women.
The women did not know whether they had polycystic ovaries (PCO) or PCOS before attending the clinic, but 15% of them had been treated previously for symptoms relating to PCOS such as irregular periods, inability to conceive, acne or excessive body or facial hair.
The women had a pelvic ultrasound examination on the second or third day of their menstrual cycle, and blood samples were taken to measure levels of reproductive hormones. A clinician, nurse and counsellor or clinical psychologist took details of their medical and sexual histories in three separate sessions.
The researchers found that the prevalence of PCO was 32% in heterosexual women and 80% in lesbian women, and that the prevalence of PCOS was 14% in heterosexual women and 38% in lesbian women. The average prevalence amongst all 618 women (lesbian and heterosexual) was 52% for PCO and 24% for PCOS. This compares with European data that show that the prevalence of PCO in the general population is 22% and 10-15% for PCOS, while 40% of all women who seek fertility treatment have PCO/PCOS.
Dr. Agrawal said: "We observed a significantly higher prevalence of PCO/PCOS in lesbian compared with heterosexual women. Our initial results are also suggestive of a significantly greater hyperandrogenism in lesbian compared with heterosexual women.
The blood samples revealed that hormones such as testosterone, androstenedione, free testosterone index and luteinizing hormone (LH) were significantly higher, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)[3] was significantly lower in lesbian women compared with heterosexual women. Dr. Agrawal said: "When we compared lesbian and heterosexual women with PCOS, lesbian women had significantly higher androgens and lower SHBG compared with heterosexual women. We found a similar result in women with PCO only, but in lesbian and heterosexual women with normal ovaries, the androgens and SHBG levels were similar."
She continued: "Our research neither suggests nor indicates that PCO/PCOS causes lesbianism, only that PCO/PCOS is more prevalent in lesbian women. We do, however, hypothesize that hyperandrogenism, which is associated with PCOS, may be one of the factors contributing to the sexual orientation of women."
However, the researchers are quick to dismiss any idea that if this was the case, then treatments for PCOS could also be seen as a "cure" for lesbianism. Dr. Agrawal said: "In 1973 the decision to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders was made and since then the focus has shifted from the 'cure' of homosexuality to the physical and psychological health concerns of these individuals. We do not view lesbianism as a disease that is in need of a 'cure'. The only aspects of health care we offer these women are reproductive health and assisted reproduction."
Previous studies have shown a similar prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among lesbian compared with heterosexual women, but had not investigated the effect of this on the women's Fallopian tubes. Dr. Agrawal's study showed that there was a similar incidence of Fallopian tube disease in both groups. "The importance of this finding is to make clinicians aware that sexually transmitted diseases are just as prevalent in lesbian women as in heterosexual women. Previous studies have shown that at least 70% of lesbian women have been heterosexual or bisexual previously. Sexual practices amongst the remaining 30% who have never been heterosexual means that STDs can be transmitted between women sexually.
Dr. Agrawal concluded: "There are several challenges and gaps in the research and healthcare of homosexual people, and this in itself calls for focus and funding of this aspect of medicine. In the past 20 years only 0.1% of published articles were dedicated to the healthcare of homosexual individuals, and before 1990 homosexual people were invisible to healthcare research. Our study emphasizes the importance of treating these women in a non-judgmental and non-biased manner so that clinicians may offer them appropriate health advice. I hope that this study will provide an impetus and motivation to clinicians and reproductive endocrinologists to investigate and explore further the hypothesis outlined here."
Notes
[1] Although PCOS is common cause of infertility in women, this does not mean that infertility is more common in lesbian women than in heterosexuals; in fact the opposite is true, and pregnancy rates are higher in lesbian compared to heterosexual women.
[2] Hyperandrogenism is caused by abnormally high concentrations of androgens (male steroid hormones in women). Symptoms range from excess facial and body hair, to baldness, acne, deepening of the voice and loss of breast tissue.
[3] SHBG is a protein that binds testosterone and other sex hormones. Women with PCOS may have normal concentrations of total testosterone, but their SHBG is lowered and therefore free testosterone concentrations are elevated, which results in symptoms related to hyperandrogenism.
Common fertility snag more prevalent in lesbians
Common fertility snag more prevalent in lesbians
By Patricia Reaney
MADRID, Spain (Reuters) - Lesbians are more likely to
suffer from a common fertility problem that can also increase
their risk of developing obesity, heart disease and diabetes
than other women.
Dr Rina Agrawal, a fertility expert at the London Women's
Clinic and The Hallam Medical Center in Britain, said an
ovarian problem caused by an imbalance of sex hormones is more
than twice as common in lesbians as in heterosexual women.
"A startling number of lesbian women have polycystic
ovarian syndrome (PCOS)," Agrawal told a fertility conference.
"The prevalence of PCOS is two and a half times, almost
three times, as high in lesbian women compared to heterosexual
women."
PCOS is the most common cause of ovarian dysfunction in
women. It is characterized by abnormal follicles, cells in
which the eggs mature in the ovaries, irregular periods, acne,
obesity, a hormone imbalance and an increase in body and facial
hair.
The London clinic was among the first centers in Europe to
offer fertility treatment to lesbians and single women. In a
study of 618 women treated at the clinic, Agrawal discovered
that 38 percent of the lesbian women had PCOS, compared to 14
percent of the heterosexual women.
The cause of PCOS is unknown but an excess of androgens, or
male hormones, has been linked with PCOS. Other research
studies have linked hyperandrogenism to sexual orientation.
Agrawal said her research neither suggests nor indicates
PCOS causes lesbianism, only that PCOS is more prevalent in
lesbian women.
"Our data does not make any conclusions or assumptions
because it would be incorrect to make assumptions based on one
single study," she said.
But she added that doctors should be aware that lesbians
have a higher rate of PCOS because it has health implications
beyond fertility.
"The main concern is on the wider health aspects such as
obesity, non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes and
cardiovascular disease which are much more common in women with
PCOS -- that is where the concern comes in," she said.
"Our study emphasizes the importance of treating these
women in a nonjudgmental and non-biased manner so that
clinicians may offer them appropriate health advice."
Study: PCOS Feature May Affect Sexual Orientation
Lesbians More Prone To Ovarian Dysfunction?
Study: PCOS Feature May Affect Sexual Orientation
POSTED: 10:11 a.m. EDT June 30, 2003
A common cause of infertility in women is more than twice as prevalent among lesbians than among heterosexual women, according to British researchers.
Furthermore, the biochemical disorder associated with the condition might contribute to the women's sexual orientation, said researchers at the London Women's Clinic and The Hallam Medical Centre.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome -- or PCOS -- is the most common cause of ovarian dysfunction in women and is caused by an imbalance of sex hormones. Resesearchers found that the condition occurs more often in lesbian women, and they hypothesize that hyperandrogenism, one of the main features of PCOS, could be contributing to the women's sexual orientation.
The study included 618 women who attended the clinic for fertility treatment between November 2001 and January 2003. Of these, 254 were lesbian and 364 were heterosexual women.
The women did not know whether they had PCOS before attending the clinic, but 15 percent of them had been treated previously for PCOS-related symptoms, such as irregular periods, inability to conceive, acne or excessive body or facial hair.
The researchers found that 14 percent of heterosexual women had PCOS, compared to 38 percent of lesbian women.
When analyzing the women's hormones, the researchers found that lesbian women had significantly higher levels of testosterone, androstenedione, free testosterone index and luteinizing hormones, and a significantly lower level of sex hormone binding globulin compared to heterosexual women.
Lead researcher Dr. Rina Agrawal, who presented the research Monday at a meeting of the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, is quick to dismiss ideas that PCOS treatments could be seen as a "cure" for lesbianism.
"Our research neither suggests nor indicates that PCOS causes lesbianism, only that (the condition) is more prevalent in lesbian women. We do, however, hypothesize that hyperandrogenism, which is associated with PCOS, may be one of the factors contributing to the sexual orientation of women," Agrawal said.
"We do not view lesbianism as a disease that is in need of a 'cure.' The only aspects of health care we offer these women are reproductive health and assisted reproduction," she said.
The study also found that lesbians and heterosexual women are at a similar risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
I'm not sure either way about this. Regardless if I am a lesbian or not, I shave my legs. I am just floored because this woman is saying that because we are lesbians that we don't want children. Me and SO want several.
Doctors, researchers and psychologist are always trying to 'diagnose' homosexuality or find a 'cure' for it.
Lets keep in mind that these results are just samples.. so we're only getting 20% of the full picture.
Most of us are born gay/les. There are many reasons why some are bi... Naturally, we are attracted to what looks good to us, and makes us feel good. Gender is not an issue (at least it shouldn't be). Unfortunately, for some of those in denial, live their lives with a void and remained unfulfilled.
well, let me leave it at that because I am seriously annoyed at these 'findings' and what society is trying to force upon us
I refuse to ever believe that there is a cause to being gay. I am gay because that is the way that I was born. And so be it.
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I refuse to ever believe that there is a cause to being gay. I am gay because that is the way that I was born. And so be it.
Ok thats the same thing hun. I'm not gay but I do believe you are born gay KWIM?
But with that theory in mind.... it still means there is a cause, whether it be a defective gene or something else.
I think it's very interesting that some people link being gay to PCOS... it may well have something to do with testosterone.
**Just thought I would contribute, I hope no one minds**
It's not a defective gene. There is nothing defective about us at all.
No and we don't mind if you are going to post here.
Edited because of a typo.
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hmmm well.... if its testosterone that "makes " someone be a lesbian..
then lets say there are women who are straight ...who start having symptoms of pcos..and then their testosterone goes crazy high..if we go by their theories..then TONS AND TONS of women would change into lesbians..then when their testosterone went back down they would become straight again.
hey sure anything is possible..
but i think people are born gay.
when my testosterone went crazy high..i wanted sex all the time...but made me want to have sex with men more,,,not women.
it angers me when people think they are looking for defective genes or testosterone reasons.
grrrr
xoxox
__________________ jennifer, 33years old
long island, new york
dxd 2001
searching for new therapies/meds for pcos
met/gluc not working as well..but on 1000mgxr
married on 9/28/06 to keith
OMG! I agree with you so much. I am sick of people in general trying to give a reason for us being gay.
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the reason that people consider it "defective" or try to give a reason for homosexual feelings is because we were all created to be heterosexual beings. A man and a woman FIT together, while two women, or two men do not fit together.
i have pcos, i struggle with liking girls, and i consider it that, a struggle. i will never call myself gay because i know that God created me to be heterosexual.
i am not condemming, i am explaining my point of view, and why other people try to "figure it out".
Dear Christ 
