Yes	No	I don’t know
Follicle is a small fluid filled sac with a single egg inside and the follicles are often called cysts
Polycystic ovaries contain more visible follicles than the average ovary
Polycystic ovaries tend to ovulate less frequently than the average ovary
Ovulating more frequently will improve my fertility
After egg release (ovulation), the hormone progesterone is released; progesterone would allow my uterine lining to shed and allow me to have a normal menstrual period
Having monthly increases in progesterone, and therefore menstrual periods, would decrease my risk for cancer of the uterus
Polycystic ovaries tend to make more male hormone like (testosterone) than the average ovary
The amount of fat in the body affects the amount of free testosterone in my body
More free testosterone promotes unwanted hair growth, acne, and scalp hair loss (alopecia)
Medications that stop the production of male hormone by the ovary (like hormonal contraception) or block the effects of male hormone would help with unwanted hair growth, acne, and alopecia
Insulin helps the ovary to make more male hormone
High insulin levels are common in women with PCOS
High insulin levels place individuals at risk for diabetes
Lowering insulin levels may help decrease free testosterone, help with weight loss and help trigger ovulation
Insulin levels can be lowered by exercise and by certain changes in diet
Insulin levels can be lowered by medications that make the body more sensitive to insulin, like metformin
Increasing the amount of muscle in my body will increase my body’s metabolic rate, that is my body’s ability to burn calories
The metabolic syndrome is a group of symptoms that increases my risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Metabolic syndrome is common in women with PCOS
Exercise, healthy dieting and weight loss can decrease the risk of having metabolic syndrome
Enough about PCOS to explain what it is, and how it affects my health