{"id":8122,"date":"2024-09-01T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-01T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8122"},"modified":"2024-09-01T20:30:00","modified_gmt":"2024-09-01T20:30:00","slug":"up-to-70-of-women-with-pcos-remain-undiagnosed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8122","title":{"rendered":"Up to 70% of women with PCOS remain undiagnosed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2024-09-01T20:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

Women Veterans: Have you been feeling a bit off lately? Noticing irregular periods and unwelcomed hair or acne, or struggling to shed those stubborn pounds? These could be signs of polycystic ovary syndrome, better known as PCOS<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Understanding PCOS<\/h2>\n

PCOS is a common health concern, affecting 1 in 10 women, that can alter your hormonal balance, fertility and overall well-being. Up to 70% of women with PCOS<\/a> don\u2019t even realize they have it.<\/p>\n

PCOS is a condition in which your ovaries overproduce androgens (\u201cmale\u201d sex hormones) in relation to estrogens (\u201cfemale\u201d sex hormones). While all people have some androgens and some estrogens in their body, when the ovaries produce extra androgens, it can impact ovulation and cause some of the other symptoms of PCOS.<\/p>\n

This hormonal imbalance can lead to all sorts of symptoms like irregular or missed periods, thinning hair or unwanted hair growth (such as excessive facial hair), acne and oily skin, obesity or trouble losing weight, and difficulty getting pregnant.<\/p>\n

Women with PCOS are also at increased risk of infertility, diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, liver disease, heart disease, depression or difficulty breastfeeding. Women with PCOS who do not ovulate or ovulate very infrequently are also at higher risk of developing uterine cancer than women who don\u2019t have PCOS.<\/p>\n

PCOS and fertility<\/h2>\n

PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women but it is treatable. You can still become pregnant if you have PCOS, though because you may not be ovulating regularly, treatment may be needed. Your VA health care provider is here to guide you through it all. From understanding your risk factors to selecting treatments and lifestyle changes, we\u2019ve got your back.<\/p>\n

You can also do your part to lower your risk of pregnancy problems, such as gestational diabetes (diabetes of pregnancy), by reaching a healthy weight and healthy blood sugar levels before getting pregnant, and by taking folic acid<\/a>. Your VA health care team can guide you.<\/p>\n

Diagnosis and treatment<\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t let your symptoms go untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment may lower your risk for long-term complications, including diabetes, heart disease and uterine cancer. VA can help. We will begin by evaluating you for PCOS through a combination of physical exam, blood tests and ultrasound. To be diagnosed for PCOS you must have at least two of the following:<\/p>\n