Patient-focused Conference Addresses Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

PCOS Association offers 8th International Conference for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Denver CO, September 15-17 2006. The PCOS endocrine condition affects millions of women, with symptoms ranging from annoying to life-threatening. With proper diagnosis and treatment, patients can manage PCOS effectively, reduce risks, and enjoy a healthy life.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) May 26, 2006 -- 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.

Although awareness of PCOS is improving, this confusing condition which affects approximately 6%-7% of the female population in the United States is still widely misunderstood, under-diagnosed, and often improperly treated. Untreated PCOS means a 5–fold increase to a woman’s risk of developing type II diabetes, elevates her risk for cardio-vascular disease, and frequently leads to infertility. The good news is that these elevated risks and problems can be reduced and possibly eliminated with proper treatment. In some cases, changes to lifestyle alone can relieve PCOS with little or no need for drug or surgical intervention.

Women with PCOS can be baffled by seemingly unrelated symptoms, which range from annoying to life-threatening. Often, physicians do not put the pieces together. With PCOS, disruption in the balance of hormones in a woman’s body can lead to irregular menstrual cycles (including lack of ovulation), growth of facial and body hair, adult acne, thinning of scalp hair, and may sometimes lead to obesity despite the adherence to seemingly “healthy” diet. Although the cause of PCOS is still debated by experts in the field of endocrinology, a great deal of evidence points to “insulin resistance”, a condition that keeps nutrition from properly reaching tissues throughout the body, and sometimes promotes over-storage of glucose as fat. At the same time, excess insulin appears to disrupt the delicate balance of hormones in a woman’s body, leading to the diverse set of symptoms that comprise PCOS.

“PCOS is not a cosmetic problem or an annoyance – it’s a potentially life-threatening disorder that results from an underlying endocrine imbalance”, says PCOS Association Founder Christine DeZarn. “But PCOS can and must be managed with an effective treatment program. Women just need to learn how!” The Denver conference “Moving Mountains”, September 15-17, 2006, will focus on understanding PCOS from the patient perspective, as well as lifestyle changes and medical intervention that can be used to alleviate the cause of PCOS as well as its symptoms. Most importantly attendees will enjoy the ability to share their experiences, challenges and successes with other patients in a positive environment, while learning to make lifestyle modifications that lead to better overall health.

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