PCOS and Missed Periods

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PCOS and Missed Periods

Why missed periods could be a sign of something other than pregnancy or perimenopause.

By Ziba Kashef

If you haven't had a period for six months or more (and you're not pregnant or perimenopausal), you could be among the 10 percent of women ages 18 to 44 who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that causes infertility and is now thought to increase a woman's risk for diabetes, heart disease and even endometrial cancer.

PCOS, characterized by multiple ovarian cysts, often goes undetected. But researchers are working to identify a PCOS-causing gene that could be used for earlier diagnosis to help prevent adverse effects.

For information about a PCOS clinical trial call 800-847-6060 or pcos@northwestern.edu.