Health risks of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome or polycystic ovaries) are significant and far-reaching, not least because the condition continues to be missed or under diagnosed. Up to 10% of woman may be exposed to the health risks of PCOS, which characteristically includes signs of virilisation due to high levels of male hormones (androgens). These are loss of normal menstrual cycles and fertility, excessive body and facial hair growth, thinning of scalp hair, acne and abdominal obesity. Many of the health risks of PCOS are due to insulin resistance, which is a condition not unlike some forms of diabetes, where the glucose in our bloodstream cannot be absorbed and transformed into energy. Glucose is therefore turned into fat, along with the manifestation of other health risks of PCOS, i.e. coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and certain cancers (breast and uterine). Clearly all common medical conditions, which are often not, linked to the health risks of PCOS.

In management of the health risks of PCOS, a wide and multi-disciplinary approach is best, i.e. not all sufferers experience the same symptoms and there is no blanket treatment for reducing the health risks of PCOS. You can treat the effects of excess androgens with medications; especially should pregnancy be desired. There is however the risk of further undesirable side effects of the medication, and alternative treatments aimed at reducing the health risks of PCOS by rebalancing the body’s hormonal system and energy flow, may be helpful (blue cohosh and false unicorn root as well as vitamins, antioxidants and liver herbs). Weight loss in itself will significantly improve the health risks of PCOS.

 Remember that many doctors are unfamiliar with this condition and symptoms may not be recognised as such. A proper examination and diagnosis, including blood tests and a sonar of the ovaries are required. Anybody looking for answers should start by finding a sympathetic health professional versed in the considerable health risks of PCOS.  

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