PCOS Messages for January, 2002: Re: Could it be PCOS?

Re: Could it be PCOS?

From: Belle (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 22 Jan 2002 22:13:26 -0600 (CST)

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Today, I answered a post entitled "I hope this works". Within this post, I listed a site that talks about acanthosis nigricans, the brown patches that are associated with insulin resistance (not PCOS necessarily but the insulin resistance itself). There are photographs that may help you identify if this is what you have. I will tell you though that under the arms and the back of the neck are the usual places for the discoloration associated with this condition. You can view the post at http://forums.obgyn.net/pcos/PCOS.0201/0839.html

To find out if you are likely to have PCOS, you should look at htp://http://www.pcosupport.org . There is a quiz that you can take to find out if you should speak to you doctor. There are also suggestions on how to talk to your doctor.

I think it is admirable that you wish to maintain a good doctor-patient relationship but I would like for you to consider a couple of things: PCOS can and does lead to diabetes. We have a far greater likelihood of becoming diabetic than the general population. By the age of 40, it is thought that 40% of us will be diabetic. Then numbers increase from there. Diabetes leads to some horrible things like decreased circulation, loss of eyesight, increased risk of amputation, etc. We also have an increased risk of heart disease and endometrial cancer. Which is more valuable, your life or your relationship with your doctor. I am not suggesting that you be cruel to your doctor. What I am suggesting is that if you do not feel that your doctor would be receptive to the idea that you may have PCOS, you should look elsewhere. You have mentioned your irregular periods and she wasn't concerned even though you have dark areas under your arms and behind your neck, you are over your ideal weight, you have some facial hair and acne at age 21. While you may not have PCOS, these symptoms should have indicated some blood tests were required.

At Tue, 22 Jan 2002, A. wrote: >
>I started my period at age 12 and was pretty regular until age 16. Then
>I started going anywhere from 1 1/2 months to two and occasionally three
>months between periods. I'm now almost 21 now and I consistently go
>from 2 1/2 to three months between my periods, averaging only four or
>five periods a year. Also, this last period, which was my first one in
>almost three months, lasted for 28 days. I'm 5'2 and 180 pounds. I
>wouldn't say that I have severe acne, but I do sometimes go through
>outbreaks of pimples, especially around my jawline. I have slight
>facial hair, but not serious. It's enough that I shave it, but not
>enough that it can be seen unless you're looking right at it. I'm not
>exactly sure what is meant by the PCOS symptom about dark patches under
>the armpits. I do have a very slightly darker skin tone there, but not
>a lot. Also it is slightly darker around the base of my neck by my
>shoulders, and there is some darker brown color in a strip around my
>waist. Could this be PCOS? I've talked to my doctor about my irregular
>periods, but she didn't seem too concerned. If it might be PCOS, how
>should I mention it to my doctor as a possibility? I want to maintain a
>good doctor-patient relationship with her and I don't want to come
>across as if I'm saying that I know better than she does. Thank you to
>anyone who can give me any information or advice.

-- Hope this helps,

Belle

Next message: Panacea: "Re: Active night-time bladder?"
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