"WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE"
READ THIS

"Nneka you've not said what you're eating" my friends will "yab" me in school and when I get home, my mum would ask "Nne when was the last time you saw your menses?"

I don't understand this new weight you're adding ooo...

#OdogwuTales

The funny part was I couldn't even remember when last I saw my period, the "Oga" had a mind of its own...comes whenever it likes or other times...doesn't show up at all!!!

Whenever my period finally comes, it's a living hell as its very painful and heavy heavy flow...IT WAS BAD!

It was one of these days when I was lying on the floor crying in pains that my dad came in and rushed me to the hospital.

Few days later I was in the theatre undergoing surgery...i Still have the scar.

What Happened I Asked...Its "POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME" they answered!

• What Is POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS)?

- It's a COMMON hormonal disorder found in women of child bearing age i.e (12 - 50yrs).

- The ovaries develops small collections of fluid called (Follicles) and may fail to release eggs regularly causing irregular menstruation.

• What Are The Causes Of PCOS?

- The exact cause of PCOS remains unknown but early diagnosis and treatment together with weight loss will reduce the risk of long term complications.

- Factors such as Genes, Hereditary, excess insulin and androgen plays a part.

• Signs And Symptoms Of PCOS;

These symptoms may start from the very first menses at 12. If you notice you have ATLEAST 2 of these symptoms...SEE YOUR DOCTOR!!!

1. IRREGULAR PERIOD
- This is due to the fluid collections on the ovaries making your menses irregular, infrequent..

or prolonged and very heavy flow.

2. EXCESS ANDROGEN
- Androgen is a male sex hormone produced by the ovaries in small quantity but in PCOS, it's excessive.

- It causes signs like excess facial and body hair, severe acne(pimples) and male pattern baldness like...

3. POLYCYSTIC OVARIES
- The ovaries might be enlarged and contain follicles (fluid collections) that surround the eggs causing the ovaries not to function properly.

- This could be seen on an abdominal ultrasound scan.

N/B: PCOS signs and symptoms are. SEVERE in obese females.

• Complications Of PCOS:

1. INFERTILITY
- It affects the ovaries that's why early diagnosis is IMPORTANT!

2. DIABETES
- The body is resistant to insulin, the hormone that controls excess sugar causing DIABETES

3. MISCARRIAGE
- The ovaries are not producing the adequate ...

hormone to sustain pregnancy leading to miscarriage or premature delivery.

4. METABOLIC SYNDROME
- A cluster of conditions such as HYPERTENSION, DIABETES, ABNORMAL CHOLESTEROL e.t.c

5. ABNORMAL UTERINE BLEEDING

6. DEPRESSION, Anxiety and EATING DISORDER

7. ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

• Is PCOS Curable?

Its not CURABLE but the symptoms can be managed so as to reduce its complications.

In some cases like the one in this thread, a surgery is done to remove the tissues forming excess male hormones.

But early presentation and treatment remains KEY!

It's #PCOSAwarenessMonth and the story above is a true life story...

PCOS is very very COMMON and is also a cause of infertility in women...

Check yourself, you notice 2 of the listed symptoms...PLEASE SEE YOUR DOCTOR!!!

RETWEET FOR AWARENESS

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