PCOS Conference and Lifestyle

There continues to be growing evidence that “lifestyle” is a key factor for success in addressing medical conditions. PCOS - polycystic ovary syndrome - a metabolic disorder that can affect women to cause weight gain, excess facial hair and infertility issues - is just one of those medical conditions for which lifestyle can have a profound impact.The Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association (PCOSA) will host a lifestyle-focused conference for women with PCOS September 15-17 in Denver, Colorado. Leading the conference will be Rochelle Rice, a nationally-recognized speaker, author, and educator. Her work focuses on empowering women by connecting the body, the mind, and the heart through focus, movement, and breath.

Moving Mountains Through Strong Mind, Body and Spirit

I have mentioned the PCOSA conferencer already on this blog. It's taking place next week and this speaker - Rochelle Rice - looks like she will have something very interesting to offer.

Lisa

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PCOS and Obesity

But the conference was also told that some obesity was not caused by overeating.Women with polycystic ovary syndrome were prone to obesity because misbehaving hormones don't quash their appetites, new research by South Australian scientists suggested.Professor Robert Norman, from University of Adelaide's Research Centre for Reproductive Health, will tell the International Congress on Obesity he has identified hormones that behave strangely in women with the condition, keeping them perpetually hungry.

Call for fat taxes | The Courier-Mail

The International Conference on Obesity have covered the problem of obesity in PCOS sufferers...let's hope more medical professionals pay attention to this and look for solutions.

Lisa

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PCOS Petition 2

The PCOS Treatment and Awareness Petition plans to empower the PCOS Community to speak very openly about their struggles, symptoms, and trials to overcome the illness, to help other women and girls understand the syndrome and seek the proper resources to help them manage their lives with PCOS. It hopes to be a driving force in changing the way the public, media and government view PCOS education, treatment and coverage for medical procedures, as a result of PCOS. Robin Brooks Radel, a woman living with PCOS agrees, "I’d like woman to know that PCOS exists and it can cause infertility, high blood pressure, heart disease, increased risk for some cancers, excess facial hair, hair loss, and diabetes I’d like woman to be educated and to pursue good health care. I’d like insurance companies to know that this is an endocrine disorder and therefore prevent them from denying treatment. I’d like my children to understand this disease, as it seems there is a hereditary link. I’d like doctors to understand that PCOS is not a fertility disorder, it is an endocrine disorder, and it can be treated. Maybe someday, it can be cured. Until that day, awareness is the most powerful weapon."The online petition can be found at:http://www.petitiononline.com/pcosweb1/petition.html

Petition for PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is Quickly Gaining Signatures and Notice

If you haven't read about this petition yet please read this press release and head over to the petition site if you feel compelled to do so.

Lisa

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Acne Treatment Warning

Almost 90 per cent of patients prescribed Roaccutane (isotretinoin) pills show improvements to their skin, but by taking it they run a risk of developing high levels of triglycerides (fats) and cholesterol in the blood. Tests of liver function show the presence of enzymes that normally signal liver damage.

Top acne drug 'increases the risk of liver damage' - Health - Times Online

I thought this might be interesting (and important) to some of you, since many PCOS sufferers also have to deal with acne problems, and this research suggests that this particular drug could cause greater problems. The article goes on to say:

"The team points out that abnormalities in laboratory tests do not necessarily signify anything serious, but patients with large increases in triglyceride levels are, they say, at greater risk of future ill-health, which could include the set of symptoms known as the metabolic syndrome: obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes. They plan further studies to examine whether Roaccutane patients are more prone to these symptoms."

To your good health,

Lisa

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UK PCOS Support and Conference

Verity Conference, Saturday 21 October 2006, Holiday Inn Bristol-FiltonCome along to Verity's next conference in Bristol on Saturday 21 October and hear talks from leading PCOS experts such as Professor Bill Ledger and Doctor Shirine Boardman. You will also have the chance to meet and talk with other women with PCOS. More details and online registration soon."That's the first meeting I have attended, I have found it very informative and will be looking forward to the next one""Only recently diagnosed with PCOS, I found today very informative and it's great to find out that am not on my own""Everyone was so open and honest about their problems, it's been great to feel that there are so many others who understand... a great day"

Verity - The Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome Self Help Group - Home

Verity is a fantastic oganisation. If you are in the UK and looking for PCOS support - check out the website.

Lisa

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Insulin Resistance hope?

Metabolic syndrome, an aging-associated group of disorders that includes insulin resistance, heart disease and high lipid levels, may be treatable thanks to a newly discovered role for a regulatory gene, according to a team of scientists at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research.

Insulin Pathway Component Explains Insulin Resistance, Age-associated Metabolic Syndrome

This is a pretty dry press release which suggests that current research into insulin resistance could have hit a breakthrough. Don't get too excited - it's early days yet - but since insulin resistance plagues many of PCOS sufferers, it could be good news for the future.

To your good health,

Lisa

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PCOSA Founder Christine DeZarn

She had married the year before and was trying to get pregnant but couldn't. Her periods were irregular. She was packing on the pounds, and no matter what she did, they wouldn't go away. And suddenly hair was growing on her chin.

"These things were all happening at the same time, and I was very confused," Christine Gray DeZarn recalls. "I thought I was possessed or something."

Doctors didn't connect the problems and neither did she - until she participated in an online forum on fertility problems and came across a woman describing symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS."I immediately identified with everything she had," DeZarn says.

KRT Wire 08/04/2006 Hormone disorder can be difficult to diagnose, treat

This is an interesting article on PCOS and Christine DeZarn - the founder of the PCOSA. I recently had the good fortune to interview Christine on both of these subjects and it was enlightening. Even after all my years of researching the subject, she was still able to reveal information I didn't know or wasn't sure about.

If you would like access to the audio interview, please sign up for the PCOS Matters newsletter using the form in the top right hand corner of this blog or by visiting http://www.pcosmatters.com. You will be able to download an introduction to PCOS featuring Christine, and as well as hear other audio from medical, nutrition and natural health experts, before I direct you to the full interview with Christine which you can download and listen to free.
To Your Good Health,

Lisa x

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New Audio Report

There's a new audio report available on PCOS. Sign up for the PCOS Matters newsletter - either in the top right corner of this blog or by visiting http://www.pcosmatters.com - and you will be given directions on how to download it.

Lisa

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PCOS Risks of Heart Disease

A. High blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol are typical causes of heart disease. Other factors that increase a woman's risk include smoking, obesity, oral contraceptive use after age 35 and an endocrine disorder known as polycystic ovary syndrome.

Belleville News-Democrat | 08/01/2006 | What a woman should know about her heart

Unfortunately, one of the greatest risks of having PCOS, especially if you are overweight, is heart disease. This is partly due to hormonal reasons and partly due to weight-gain being mainly around the abdomen, like men.

Lisa

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Dermatological Effects of PCOS

If a woman has hirsutism, acne and irregular periods, polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that is often considered. This condition can be treated initially with oral contraceptives, but also with other oral medications, such as spironolactone and other anti-androgen medications. A blood test at a physician’s office can determine the cause of these symptoms and the best treatment option.

Newswise | A Balancing Act: Hormones and the Skin

If you have some of the symptoms of PCOS you may go rushing to a dermatologist to get help, but make sure you see a doctor too, as treating the underlying cause may produce better long term results.

Lisa

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Free PCOS Seminar in Illinois

Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI), one of the nation’s leading infertility treatment practices, and PCOStrategies, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, motivating and stimulating the millions of women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), today announced a joint free seminar that will take place on Saturday, August 5th from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Northwest Community Hospital. The informational session is designed to raise awareness about PCOS, otherwise known as Syndrome O, and the various ways to combat this condition and increase chances of a successful birth.

Fertility Centers of Illinois and PCOStrategies Seminar to Raise Awareness about PCOS

This seminar may be of interest to some of you in the Chicago/Illinois area.

Lisa x

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Exercise and Insulin Resistance

In an article entitled "Effects of Diet and Exercise on Insulin Resistance during Pregnancy, James F. Clapp III, MD, presents the evidence to support the role a low-glycemic diet and exercise can have in helping to minimize the increase in insulin resistance that tends to occur during pregnancy in Western societies.

Insulin Resistance During Pregnancy Poses Risks for Mother and Child

If you aren't already taking regular exercise, this article tells you why you should be. Exercise really is important for PCOS sufferers. If like me you hate sweating it out at the gym and would rather stick pins in your eyes, try something different or fun. Start by brisk walking just 10 minutes a day and then gradually increase the time you walk - include the whole family or take the dog (if you have one). Take up a fun hobby that won't leave you bored after a few weeks - try belly dancing, skating, cycling, line dancing, kick boxing (start off gently)......

Lisa x

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What is the Difference between Syndrome X and PCOS

Syndrome X, also called Metabolic Syndrome or Insulin Resistance Syndrome, is a combination of insulin resistance or diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and central obesity. One of the main differences between Syndrome X and PCOS is that both men and women can have Syndrome X, while men cannot have PCOS. Syndrome X involves a cluster of symptoms found within the larger scope of PCOS symptoms - it is this metabolic disorder that contributes most to heart disease. To be diagnosed with Syndrome X, one must have insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia. It is possible to have PCOS without having all of these symptoms, and some women with PCOS may not appear to have any of them.

PCOS: FAQs

In a previous post, Donna left a comment saying that she has many of the PCOS symptoms but her doctor has told her it Syndrome X not Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. The above should clarify the difference for you. Basically you can have Syndrome X and PCOS, but having one does not necessarily mean having the other.

To your good health,

Lisa

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PCOS Symptoms and Cushings Syndrome

Women with the symptoms described in this story are being urged to check with their doctors whether they might have polycystic ovary syndrome.Society is quick to label those who carry excess kilos as lazy, junk food addicts.But Fiona Te Wierik is a hard-working nurse whose excess kilos are due to a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a silent epidemic now affecting one-in-eight Australian women between the ages of 12 and 50.

Today Tonight on Seven

This article is interesting because it looks at PCOS and its symptoms, but also shows that the common symptoms do not always mean a sufferer has Poycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Lisa x

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Chili Aids Weight-Loss for PCOS?

EATING chilli regularly could help in the fight against insulin resistance and obesity, according to new Australian research.In a comparison of bland versus chilli-laden meals, researchers from the University of Tasmania’s School of Human Life Sciences found that a few spoonfuls of chilli reduced the post meal surge in insulin, particularly in overweight people.People with resistance to the actions of insulin have an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as polycystic ovary syndrome, fatty liver and certain cancers.The study found that in overweight subjects, changes to a range of glucose metabolism measures following chilli meals were more marked than those seen in normal weight subjects.

The Border Mail - For weight loss, add a dash of chilli

It sounds quite bizarre, but if you are at a plateau and you like your chili, it might be worth a try. Certainly a good excuse to spice up your meals!

Lisa

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An Online Petition for PCOS Recognition

The PCOS Treatment and Awareness Petition plans to empower the PCOS Community to speak very openly about their struggles, symptoms, and trials to overcome the illness, to help other women and girls understand the syndrome and seek the proper resources to help them manage their lives with PCOS. It hopes to be a driving force in changing the way the public, media and government view PCOS education, treatment and coverage for medical procedures, as a result of PCOS.

Online Petition Hopes to Make PCOS a Known Acronym

You may be interested in signing this petition. More is explained in the article above.

The online petition can be found at:

http://www.petitiononline.com/pcosweb1/petition.html

Lisa x

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Obesity in Puberty Linked to PCOS

Girls who are obese during the early stages of puberty have an increased risk of developing abnormally high levels of androgens, a type of steroid hormone, according to a report in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Obesity in puberty linked to hormone disorder (press release)

The thing that they don't explain in this research is whether those who are obese during puberty are more at risk of developing further problems due to being obese, or whether they are struggling with obesity because the health problems are there already.

Lisa

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PCOS Conference and Awareness Month

The Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association, Inc. (PCOS Association) will offer its 8th International Conference dedicated to the wellbeing of women with the endocrine condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Entitled "Moving Mountains", this comprehensive educational, lifestyle and support-oriented conference will take place in Denver, Colorado to coincide with PCOS Awareness Month in September 2006.

Patient-focused Conference Addresses Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

This may be of interest to some of you - a conference for women with PCOS (not medical professionals) designed to raise awareness and offer support and education. And it's good to hear that September has been designated PCOS Awareness Month.

Lisa x

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PCOS Misunderstood and Misdiagnosed

One of the leading causes of infertility is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS, often leads to abnormal periods, abnormal weight gain, and hair growth. Many women with the syndrome are insulin resistant and have abnormal cholesterol levels. But with proper testing and treatment, women lose weight, return to normal insulin, and cholesterol levels and 60 to 70% eventually get pregnant. Dr. Steve Foley with Advanced Gynecology said, "A lot of people aren't treated because we don't have a definitive test to say this is what you have. We can treat it, but what I tell patients, we can't cure it." Between 5 and 10% of all women of childbearing years have PCOS. The percentage is twice that among black and Hispanic women.

News First Online

Check out this interesting news report on PCOS - there is a video that accompanies it (you have to wait through an annoying commercials). I get asked a lot whether PCOS means complete infertility, but as this report shows this is only the case for a very small number of sufferers.

To your good health,

Lisa

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Short Legs and Diabetes

A new study suggests people with disproportionately short legs may be slightly more at risk for Type 2 diabetes than those with longer legs.

All Headline News - People With Short Legs May Be At Higher Risk For Diabetes - July 13, 2006

Oh come on - short legs and PCOS, I don't stand a chance! How on earth did they come up with such a ridiculous statistic?!

You've gotta laugh ;-)

To your good health,

Lisa

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