| DO YOU HAVE PCOS? Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Checklist: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome refers to a cluster of related symptoms varying from woman to woman, but almost always marked by hormonal and metabolic problems, as well as physical and emotional complaints. For years physicians failed to connect the varied PCOS complaints as one central ailment. Fortunately, today awareness has grown in the medical community and more and more PCOS cases are being properly diagnosed and treated. Below is a list of problems associated with PCOS. Not all symptoms need to apply in order for you to be diagnosed. * Abnormal periods (the ‘abnormality' covers a wide degree of symptoms, including: excessively heavy, absent, spotty, too long or too short, extremely painful, etc.) * Hungry often - even after eating. Never feeling totally satisfied or full. * Weight increased in mid-section around hips, buttocks, thighs and especially in the tummy. The tummy may protrude and always appear swollen. * Weight increase was sudden. Some women put on 50 pounds in 4 months! * Always heavy, or suddenly heavy with no apparent reason for the weight gain. * Cellulite * Enlarged ovaries (some women can feel their swollen ovaries through their skin, or experience pain during ovulation and menstruation.) * Brown patches around the nape of the neck. * High cholesterol. * Thyroid problems. (Some women will experience a swollen thyroid.) * Rashes and dry skin * Decreased or sudden increase of a sexual drive. * Enlarged uterus * Nightmares * Infertility (inability to become pregnant after 1 year of regular intercourse during ovulation) * Obesity * The body refuses to respond to diet and exercise. Losing weight is EXTREMELY difficult. * Gain weight when ill or when on a restricted diet. * Excessive facial hair * Breast milk secretion * An abundance of body fat * Baldness * Tubal pregnancies/miscarriages * Breast tenderness * Swelling of hands and feet * Ovarian cysts * Fatigue (can be chronic and constant) * Emotional problems (moody, upset and cry easy, quick to anger) * Falling asleep after eating * Slow metabolism * Painful periods * Inability to manage stress * Menopausal-type symptoms * Acne (including body acne) * Cravings that can be extreme - especially for sugar and carbohydrates * Irritable, fidgety, on-edge. * Constant thirst * Sleeping disorders (ranging from insomnia or difficulty staying awake) * Depression (can be severe) * Headaches * Panic attacks * Food allergies * Dizzy spells * A poor memory/a ‘muddled' mind (You don't have to have every one of these syndromes to be diagnosed with PCOS.) |