kat note, be sure to see the bold line at the end of this article. It offers a PCOS booklet...
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormone related problems in women. Five to 10% of premenopausal women have PCOS with the diagnostic criteria involving having two of the following:
Polycystic ovaries
Menstruation problems
High levels of androgens (male hormones)
Women with PCOS usually present with menstruation problems including infertility, excess hair growth (hirsutism), acne or accelerated scalp hair fall. Many have a family history of Type 2 diabetes. About 50% of women are obese with a history of easy weight gain and/or difficulty with losing weight.
Between 50% and 70% of women with PCOS have high levels of insulin (hyperinsulinaemia) caused by the fat cells near the surface of the body (peripheral adipose tissue) not responding to insulin to take glucose into the cell so more insulin is produced. These high levels of insulin stimulate the ovaries other glands to secrete androgen.
Women with PCOS have seven times the chance of having impaired glucose tolerance than "normal" women and a markedly increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. They are more likely to develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Another effect includes the increase in the frequency of having high blood fats (hyperlipidaemia). This presents as low "good" (HDL) cholesterol and/or elevated triglycerides, which makes them 3 times more likely than other women to develop premature ischaemic heart disease. The combination of hyperinsulinaemia and hyperlipidaemia in the majority of women with PCOS is called insulin resistance.
Women with PCOS should receive practical advice on lifestyle issues. These include modification to present eating plans, increasing physical activity and loss of body weight. These have been shown to reduce androgen and increase ovulation rates.
Hyperlipidaemia should also be treated intensively.
The oral hypoglycaemic drug, metformin which is generally used for the control of blood glucose levels in those with diabetes, has been shown to reduce androgen and increase ovulation rates. This however is not as effective as lifestyle modifications and may cause nausea and diarrhoea in younger women. Oral contraceptives and cyproterone increase insulin resistance which may accelerate the onset of diabetes. The general rule is that medications should only be used once lifestyle modification measures have been implemented or insulin resistance is not present.
In conclusion, the diagnosis of PCOS often means that lifestyle changes are required. These generally include taking a nutritionally adequate eating plan, increasing activity levels and where relevant, achieving weight reduction.
For more information contact:
1. Diabetes Australia - Victoria on 9654 8777 for a consumer booklet on PCOS
2. Web sites -
www.egroups.com/group/pcos-australia/info.html or
www.pcosvic.com 
Diabetes Australia - pcos booklet available 
updated link for this booklet 
