A Preview of the book "PCOS: THE SILENT EPIDEMIC"

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal disturbance affecting the entire body with numerous implications for a woman's long-term health and quality of life. PCOS is the most common hormonal disturbance of pre-menopausal women and is a leading cause of infertility, but infertility is not the only problem PCOS creates. Common symptoms unrelated to fertility include obesity, abnormal hair growth, skin problems, and abnormal menstrual periods. Additionally, we now know that PCOS has far longer-term health consequences. Women with PCOS have at least 7 times the risk of heart attack and heart disease than other women, are at risk for hypertension, and by the age of 40, 40% of PCOS patients develop Type 2 diabetes.

Because often individual symptoms of the syndrome have been presented one at a time to a variety of professionals (gynecologists, dermatologists, internists, hair removal specialists) PCOS has been in the closet for far too long, underestimated both in prevalence and importance. The disease is beginning to receive the attention it deserves through interest and research. Even popular women's magazines including, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Redbook, and Ladies Home Journal have published articles on PCOS. There are hundreds of visitors each day to sites on the internet dedicated to PCOS. Yet there has been no comprehensive source of information available to PCOS sufferers… until now. Dr. Thatcher’s book is an exciting first in this field!

Table of Contents

• Why this Book? An Introduction
• Chapter 1
• What Is It?
• Definition and History
• Chapter 2
• How Does it Work? 
• The Biology of the Female Reproductive System
• Chapter 3
• Where Did It Come From?
• The Genetics of PCOS
• Chapter 4
• When Does It Start? 
• Before Birth through Puberty
• Chapter 5
• Do I Have It?
• Diagnostic Testing
• Chapter 6
• Who Treats PCOS?
• Getting the Care You Deserve
• Chapter 7
• Women Don't Shave!
• Hair and Skin Problems
• Chapter 8
• Fat for Life?
• It's Not Just a Matter of Self-Control
• Chapter 9
• Too Sweet For Our Own Good
• The Diabetic Risk: Hyperinsulinemia and It's Treatment
• Chapter 10
• Learning to Love the One You're With
• PCOS and Body Image
• Chapter 11
• Yes, I Want a Baby!
• Infertility
• Chapter 12
• Now I’ m pregnant!?
• Is the pregnancy of greater risk?
• Chapter 13
• The Estrogen Link
• Endometriosis, Fibroids, and Cancer
• Chapter 14
• Does it Ever End?
• Menopause -- Before and Beyond
• Chapter 15
• A Coat of Many Colors
• PCOS' Relationship with Other Medical Problems
• Chapter 16
• From Surviving to Thriving
• Taking Care of Yourself
• Chapter 17
• No Cure Yet, So Let's Manage
• Therapy Options
• Chapter 18
• Where Can I Find More Information?
• PCOS Resources
• Chapter 19
• What's Ahead?
• Research Directions
• Glossary
• Medical Terms That Allow Us to Communicate (Approximately 50)
• Appendices

PCOS: The Silent Epidemic is available in hardcover, ISBN 0-944934-25-0, $24.95.

References:

Pat Johnston, Publisher

Perspectives Press: The Infertility and Adoption Publisher

PO Box 90318, Indianapolis, IN 46290-0318 USA *phone (317)872-3055

visit our website at http://www.perspectivespress.com