What is PCOS??

[Almostpretty]

I keep seeing that on threads but have never heard of it.

[prometheus]

it is where you develop cysts, acne like activity, on your ovaries, and it interferes with hormonal production, or is the result of hormonal production. It can lead to irregular periods and loss of fertility.

[CourtneyIAM]

It stands for Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, I believe.

[Almostpretty]

I wonder if this is something I may have. I know that my acne is hormonal but my doctor thought I should try accutane b/c he thought it doesn't matter why I break out, that should eliminate it no matter what.

I looked at some of the symptoms on line and I don't have a lot of them. Mainly that I break out and I think I am glucose intolerant. I've tried to make an appointment with an endocrinologist but none of them would even see me.

Well even if the accutane does work, I still plan on sticking to a low carb diet just because I feel so much better on it.

[SweetJade1]

Almostpretty,
To put it bluntly, if you have a underlying hormonal problem, accutane will never cure you. From what I've read, it doesn't cure anyone...even Roche says it's anti-androgenic effects will return after treatment ceases (could take months - years to return though). Therefore, those that only take one course (we have people that have taken 5 courses and STILL have acne), probably were facing Pubertal Acne or a short bout of Adult Acne.

Now, PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. This is also known as Syndrome X, Syndrome O, Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, and Insulin Resistance. There are 2 forms of PCOS:

Insulin Resistance = increase Testosterone Levels

FSH/LH Imbalance = decreased Progesterone levels

I'm far from an expert, but I don't know if Insulin Resistance leads to both forms of PCOS or only one. Yet, I do know that women with ovarian cysts still improved on a form of Low Carbohydrate diet =)

I personally have the Insulin Resistance form of PCOS. My doctor actually said "you are either PCOS or IR, but either way we use the same treatments." I do not have typical PCOS symptoms, which is what misleads doctors into false diagnosis of patients. I am one of the Thin *******, although I do not have cystic ovaries, LOL. I'm underwieght, perfect menstural cycles, normal blood pressure, normal cholesterol, etc. On the "PCOS and Acne" post I go into detail about what my symptoms were, etc, but again I stress, you do not have to have all these "symptoms" .

It sounds like if you feel better on a Low Carb diet you may have the IR form. What are the rest of your hormonal or physical "symptoms" to this syndrome? You also mentioned that you might be Glucose Intolerant, well that describes Insulin Resitance and if you do, you want to keep on that diet in order to prevent you from entering into full blown resistance...Type II Diabetes!

So definately get yourself to an Endocrinologist and get tested (I listed some tests on the other thread) Depending on your hormone levels you will either use Insulin Sensitizing Drugs, Progesterone, or anti-androgens (Birth Control and/or Spironolactone). Although, ALL of those drugs serve the same purpose...they all act as anti-androgens (and hormone balancers) in one form or another ;-)

Personally, if you find that yours is sooo stubborn that you are stuck on 5 medications, you may want to focus more on your diet. I mean, if an Insulin Sensitizer can fix things...doesn't it make sense for us to all just start by actually following a diet that's Anti-Insulin Resistant??? Yet, your doctor won't stress this or if he does, it will be to tell you to eat Whole grains (which is better than Refined/white grains), but it's not as good as going Gluten-Free (or No Grain). If you are intested in that, just read "the Diet threads," LOL.

Best of luck and take care =)