Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects, approximately, 1 in every 10 women. Since there is nothing that can definitively say that a woman has PCOS it makes it difficult to come up with exact statistics. The only thing medical professionals can do to give as accurate of a diagnosis as possible is to essentially do testing to rule out other possibilities. Once those possibilities are ruled out they can give a more accurate diagnosis.
There are studies that are currently going on to try and find out a way to accurately diagnose PCOS. It does not affect a specific race, it can affect women of all races. The women that do have PCOS are not born with it. PCOS only begins to affect women during and after puberty. This is because PCOS revolves around hormones, and ovulation.
Because of the hormone imbalance found in women with PCOS they have the access body hair. The hormones imbalance also leads to issues with ovulation, irregular periods, cysts on the ovaries, insulin resistance, etc. For those of you interested in why this is please take the time to look up how hormones are used in your body and what they affect. In particular testosterone, estrogen, and insulin. They are all intertwined and can cause a number of issues.

Mayo Clinic. (2017). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Retrieved from             http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/home/ovc-20342146

When it comes to Polyscysitic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) there is no test that can accurately provide a diagnosis. This is why, it is important to provide doctors with an accurate medical history, that includes weight changes and menstrual periods. Excessive weight gain in women can lead to the development of PCOS and irregular periods are a common symptom in women with PCOS. If a woman is experiencing these two symptoms it does not automatically mean that they have PCOS. These symptoms are common with many conditions and are sometimes not caused by any underlying condition.

If a medical professional suspects that a woman may have PCOS a physical exam will be performed. During this exam women are checked for excess facial growth, insulin resistance, and acne. After the physical exam, if the medical professional still feels as though the woman may have PCOS other tests can be done. These tests do not 100% determine if a woman has PCOS it can only change the odds of her actually having it. The medical professional may recommend a pelvic exam, which is when the reproductive organs are inspected for masses, growths or other abnormalities. Other tests that my be performed are a blood test to measure hormone levels, and the woman's glucose tolerance, fasting cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. As well as, an ultrasound to check the appearance of the woman's ovaries and the thickness of the lining of the uterus.

Once a woman is diagnose with PCOS her doctor may recommend other tests to check for complications of this condition. These tests include regular blood pressure checks, glucose tolerance, cholesterol and triglyceride level checks. As well as screenings for depression, anxiety, and obstructive sleep apnea. The doctor may, also, recommend life styles changes to prevent against complications of PCOS. Lifestyle changes often recommended by medical professionals are low calorie diets combines with moderate exercise activities. By doing this women often lose weight thereby increasing the effectiveness of their medications and improving their condition.

There are treatments for PCOS, but there is no cure. Often these treatments are based on managing a womans individual concerns such as access body hair, infertility, acne, and obesity. Treatments for excess body hair include birth control pills, Spironolactone, Eflornithine, and Electrolysis. Women concerned about infertility may be put on Clomiphene, Letrozole, Metformin, and Gonadotropins to help her ovulate. Typically these medications, also, help to clear acne. When it comes to obesity, as previously stated, a low calorie diet, along with moderate exercise is recommended.

Mayo Clinic. (2017). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Retrieved from             http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/home/ovc-20342146