Facing the changes of puberty can be difficult for many girls, but keeping the fact in mind that everyone’s body is different and that every person goes through this rather tumultuous stage in life at a different rate can be helpful. Despite the fact that every woman’s body changes at its own pace, there are some red flags that can be raised concerning the health of a girl going through life’s big changes. One of these is primary amenorrhea, which could very well be a symptom of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Primary amenorrhea is a condition that occurs when a woman has yet to begin menstruating by the time she is 16 to 18 years old. Oftentimes, this condition is caused by the hormonal imbalance that accompanies PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), a surprisingly common condition that causes infertility in women and is accompanied by a long list of symptoms, one of which is primary amenorrhea.
Women face the danger of many different health issues as they enter their pubescent years, and as the female reproductive system matures. Because the teenage years are accompanied by so many changes to the body, it may be difficult to pinpoint primary amenorrhea or PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) right away. In fact, there are so many symptoms attributed to the condition that it is sometimes difficult to get a definitive diagnosis at all. To be honest, the Syndrome is often misdiagnosed despite the fact that it affects an estimated five to ten percent of women.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is the most common female hormonal disorder, though many women are unaware that they have it until they begin to experience the effects of infertility. Characterized by the appearance of many ovarian cysts, this condition can occur in women who are able to bear children and in post-menopausal women. Though girls that have primary amenorrhea are not capable of bearing children yet, the condition itself is an indicator that PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) may be present.
The teenage years are difficult, with the many physical, social, and emotional changes that a girl goes through. Though it may seem impossible to keep track of these changes, paying close attention to them will help women know when to see a doctor if their bodies are behaving abnormally. Primary amenorrhea is a strong indicator of the presence of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) but the condition is accompanied by several others, including:
- Ovarian cysts
- Weight gain
- Excessive facial and/or body hair
- Male pattern baldness
- Skin tags
- Brown patches on the skin
- High cholesterol
- Mental fatigue
- High levels of male hormones
- Sleep apnea
- Thyroid issues
- Anxiety and depression
As a warning sign of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), primary amenorrhea is something to be aware of and have checked out by a doctor. Though the condition can cause infertility, it has also been shown to be reversible through certain treatments. For this reason, knowing that it is an issue and having it treated as soon as possible can minimize the effects of the condition and help women live healthy lives.
Insulite Health, a Boulder, Colorado USA based company, is committed to reversing Insulin Resistance – a potentially dangerous imbalance of blood glucose and insulin. Scientific research has revealed that this disorder can be a primary cause of excess weight gain and obesity, plus Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. Insulin Resistance can also underlie the cluster of increased risk factors for cardiovascular damage called Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X) as well as PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) – a major source of serious diseases as well as heartbreaking female infertility.
Recognizing that there are millions of people who need this kind of systematic approach to reversing insulin resistance, Insulite Health has, developed systems to address the underlying causes of metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), excess weight/obesity, pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Could the symptoms you are suffering with be PCOS? Click the headline below to take the PCOS Test and find out!