kat note: the doc's name and address is at the end of this article
Doc Talk: Fertility Feasability
Air Date: 06/06/2002
Reported By: Marilyn Mitzel
Producer: Carol Thompson
Contact:
cthompson@wsvn.com
If you're having trouble getting pregnant, you may have one of the most common causes of infertility and don't even know it. You can find out and maybe even make your dream of having a family come true.
(WSVN) A beautiful,healthy, baby. That's what Alisa Tang-Hap was wishing for. But she couldn't get pregnant.
Alisa Tang Hap, who has PCOS, says "It was very disappointing. And, frustrating because I didn't know what the cause was."
Fortunately Alicia heard about Endocrinologist Dr. Ken Gelman, who specializes in infertility. After running a few tests, he very quickly discovered her problem. A condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or P-C-O-S.
Dr. Ken Gelman, Memorial Regional Hospital, says "It's an inherited disorder it affects approximately 5-10% of women of reproductive age, but my estimates are it's probably higher."
Many women who have it are overweight, have excessive body hair, irregular menstrual cycles, acne, are insulin resistant or have diabetes. But what makes P-C-O-S so difficult to diagnose is you can have all or none of the symptoms.
Dr. Ken Gelman says "Women who don't have the tell-tale signs of PCOS generally aren't diagnosed or are diagnosed possibly as having some kind of ovarian dysfunction."
Alisa had only one outward sign of P-C-O-S, but an ultrasound exam found cysts on her ovaries and a blood test confirmed her body wasn't using insulin properly. Those are sure-fire indicators of P-C-O-S. To help her conceive, Doc prescribed insulin regulating medication.
Dr. Ken Gelman says "By lowering their insulin levels, these women start to cycle regularly and many of them do get pregnant." Within 4 months, Alisa's wish finally came true.
Alisa Tang Hap says "This past Saturday I took a pregnancy test and it was positive, so, yeah it did a great job."
A recent study found that P-C-O-S can also lead to heart disease if it's not treated. So, even if you're not trying to get pregnant, if you have any of the symptoms, you should get tested for it and treated if necessary.
If you have a serious medical problem call your doctor. If you think we can help, call 305-DOC-TALK.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
DR. KEN GELMAN
MEMORIAL MEDICAL OFFICE CENTER
HOLLYWOOD, FL
954-963-7100
PCOS Doctor in Hollywood, Florida 
