Telling Family Members about PCOS

[tiggerlily5278]

Tomorrow night I am going to visit my father & stepmother. I am going to tell them about my PCOS & pre-diabetes. I want to be the one to tell them, so that they can understand what it is about. I don't want for them to hear it from somewhere else, not understand it, and be upset that I didn't tell them. I would like to bring something with me, like a brief overview of what PCOS is. Does anyone know of an article/site with a basic explanation of PCOS, something short & to the point? Thanks for your help.

[LadyBlue]

I have a little summary that I put together for my family from quotes of articles here on SoulCysters. It sort of glosses over all the period-related details for the sake of the male relatives. You can use it if you think it will help you. If insulin resistance is NOT a big factor for you, this may not be the best summary.


Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome - "PCOS"

PCOS is an unfortunate term because the word "ovarian" appears in the name of this syndrome. For years, many people automatically assumed that it is purely an ovarian disease. We now recognize that it is in fact, a systemic endocrine and metabolic disorder.

PCOS is a metabolic disorder that disturbs multiple body systems. It is a disorder of the endocrine system, which regulates hormones—the chemical messengers that orchestrate everything from reproduction to metabolism. A woman can have one, five or a dozen symptoms. Most experts agree that the biggest culprit may be the powerful hormone insulin. Most women with PCOS have insulin resistance, a problem with the way insulin acts in their bodies. In many cases, this may mean that they produce too much of it. It is a lifelong metabolic derangement, which means you’ll need to be carefully monitored by your physician. High levels of insulin and insulin resistance lead to high triglyceride levels, low levels of HDL (the “good” cholesterol) and high levels of LDL (the “bad” kind). It also increases the risk of hypertension. PCOS is related to infertility, menstrual irregularities, higher risk of miscarriage, hypothyroidism, depression, anxiety, fatigue, nightmares, acne, skin tags, dark patches of skin, hirsuitism, baldness/hair loss, and obesity. Furthermore, women with PCOS are at increased risk of developing diabetes, coronary artery disease, abnormalities in the lining of the uterus and an increased risk of uterine cancer, and possibly breast cancer as well. By age fifty, women with PCOS have about a tenfold increase of risk of heart attacks and stroke. The syndrome is still so poorly understood that its cause and cure remain unknown. Right now, many doctors consider metformin, a diabetes drug, the best treatment.

It has been recognized for many years that PCOS definitely runs in families. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Therefore, if a woman has PCOS, it should be looked for in her mother, sisters, and daughters. Male relatives will also carry the gene. These men are also often insulin resistant and at increased risk for diabetes. Some evidence indicates that the marker for the PCOS gene in men is early balding. If a male relative develops significant balding before the age 30, he should be evaluated (for insulin problems).

[tiggerlily5278]

Thanks so much for the summary. I will use it.

[LadyBlue]

Well good luck explaining and everything. It can be kind of a nervous situation, and a little sad, too. I hope they understand easily and support you as best as they can.
AAw! Thanks for the strawberry, too.

[tiggerlily5278]

Just wanted to let you know it was successful. I explained PCOS as best as I could, which they seemed to understand. I also gave them the copy of your description. I was suprised about the last part of the description regarding male relatives and baldness before 30. My father started balding around age 18! He is going to have his doctor check to see if he's insulin resistant. Thanks again.

[LadyBlue]

My father and brother started balding at that age, too. I'm afraid none of my relatives went in for testing, though. I was hoping my dad would, because he has high triglycerides and cholesterol and it may be linked to IR. He's been having a great difficulty getting the numbers down and tolerating the medication. I sort of wonder if he wouldn't just do better with a low carb diet instead of traditional low fat, but without the test I guess we'll keep wondering. sigh*

[SnowFlower]

Good luck!