Women with PCOS are at Greater Risk for Metabolic Syndrome
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Women suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common causes of female infertility in the U.S., also have more chance of developing cardiovascular disease.Research published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, published by The Endocrine Society, shows that Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X), a cluster of increased risk factors for a heart attack or stroke, is more prevalent in women with PCOS (1).
Women with both Metabolic Syndrome and PCOS also exhibit greater hormonal and menstrual cycle irregularity than women with just PCOS. “These findings indicate that women with PCOS should automatically be screened for Metabolic Syndrome to prevent the risk of early-onset cardiovascular disease,” said senior study author Dr. John Nestler, Professor of Medicine at the Medical College of Virginia. After reviewing medical charts for 161 women, study investigators identified 106 women (46 women with PCOS and Metabolic Syndrome, plus 60 women with PCOS alone) for participation and analysis. The study revealed that women with PCOS are nearly twice as likely to have Metabolic Syndrome in comparison with women without PCOS in the general population. Women demonstrating the characteristics of both PCOS and Metabolic Syndrome were found to also have more severe Insulin Resistance. The symptoms of PCOS can vary widely from woman to woman. In addition to infertility, the symptoms can include irregular or completely absent periods, cysts (water-filled sacs) on the ovaries, excessive facial or body hair, male pattern hair loss in women, obesity, acne, skin tags and brown skin patches, general tiredness and reduced sex drive. (1) Study Finds that Women with PCOS are at Increased Risk for Cardiovascular Disease. The Endocrine Society:News:Press Release
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