PCOS Awareness Month
A Common Cause of Infertility and Weight Gain
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in reproductive- aged women. It affects at least 10% of women, increasing their risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and infertility. To help improve the health of these women, a research team led by Jennifer Phy, D.O., an associate professor at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine, developed a new dietary approach to managing the syndrome. The team, all of whom are reproductive endocrinologists, includes Jaou-Chen Huang, M.D., and Ali Chappell, Ph.D., a registered dietician.
Polycystic ovaries are typically larger, rounder and not actually cystic. Instead, they contain a string of small egg sacs called follicles that have a classic “string of pearls” appearance by ultrasound. This leads to infertility because the eggs within these follicles do not mature and are not released during ovulation.