PCOS & the Fast Food Trap: What Every
Young Woman Should Know
Jenny, an 18-year-old college student, started experiencing missed periods and
excessive hair growth on her body. She discussed it with her mother, who took her to
the doctor. After a few tests, the doctor diagnosed her with PCOS.
PCOS? In just an 18-year-old girl?
Yes—PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is now alarmingly on the rise among young
people.
Understanding PCOS
First, let’s understand what PCOS actually is. It’s a condition where excessive male
hormones (androgens) build up in the female body and start to disrupt the normal
menstrual cycle. As a result, women may experience:
● Irregular or missed periods
● Excessive hair growth on the body (hirsutism)
● Possible infertility
Statistics
According to a recent survey in the U.S.:
● 6 to 12% of women of reproductive age have PCOS
● Around 70% of cases remain undiagnosed, showing a major gap in awareness
and diagnosis
Causes of PCOS
The main cause of PCOS is hormonal imbalance, which can be triggered by:
Young Woman Should Know
Jenny, an 18-year-old college student, started experiencing missed periods and
excessive hair growth on her body. She discussed it with her mother, who took her to
the doctor. After a few tests, the doctor diagnosed her with PCOS.
PCOS? In just an 18-year-old girl?
Yes—PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is now alarmingly on the rise among young
people.
Understanding PCOS
First, let’s understand what PCOS actually is. It’s a condition where excessive male
hormones (androgens) build up in the female body and start to disrupt the normal
menstrual cycle. As a result, women may experience:
● Irregular or missed periods
● Excessive hair growth on the body (hirsutism)
● Possible infertility
Statistics
According to a recent survey in the U.S.:
● 6 to 12% of women of reproductive age have PCOS
● Around 70% of cases remain undiagnosed, showing a major gap in awareness
and diagnosis
Causes of PCOS
The main cause of PCOS is hormonal imbalance, which can be triggered by:
