| Polycystic Ovary (PCO) Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects about five million American women overall. The disorder occurs when the ovaries produce excessive amounts of male hormones and develop small cysts.
Women with PCOS usually also have low levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) because of this her follicles will not mature and release eggs. Instead, the immature egg follicles in the ovaries develop into small cysts, causing PCOS.
With this imbalance in hormones, PCOS can affect everything from a woman's hair to uterus, skin to blood sugar. Not only does it affect fertility, PCOS is a common cause of obesity. Three quarters of the women with PCOS are overweight. The syndrome puts them at a higher risk for diabetes, endometrial cancer, heart disease and stroke. Many women have acne and grow facial hair, thanks to the presence of the male hormone.
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