Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Endometriosis Sufferers [Updated September 5th, 2006]   Hi, my name is Catherine. I'm 28 years old. I live in Christchurch, New Zealand. I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) on the 18th of December, 1998. On hearing this, I soon started searching for information on PCOS through the Net. Of all the things I found, only ONE site was based on New Zealand. Diane-35. From there, you can get pamphlets on PCOS and Diane-35 sent to you (sorry, only sent around NZ at the moment it seems). The treatment I was on, was Diane-35. Which had been subsidised for 2 years for me. Sad thing is, I found out that it made my condition (lower abdomen pain and cramping) worse, so I had to stop taking it. After a gyno's visit, it was decided that I could be put on some other hormone treatment. Again, a failure because I had migraines as a withdrawl symptom from it. I can't remember the name of the drug, but it didn't do a thing for me. SO, here is my PCOS page. If you have been diagnosed with PCOS/Endo, or know someone that has, you must realise: YOU ARE NOT ALONE! :) Anyways, here is a site that describes PCOS the LONG Medical Way. So just what IS PCOS? Well, I could spend a few pages telling you what I THINK it is, and what I've read. But why not just give you some URL's that tell right then and there? :) Treatment of PCOS with Insulin Lowering Medications. Many thanks to Claudia W. for the links :) If this doesn't explain enough for you, be my guest and check some of the links I have. I found out I had this via a blood test. It can also be detected via Ultrasounds. Which were set up for me at one of my local Hospitals. OK. What else... I joined up to three PCOS Support email thingies.PCOSupport-under Online Support, then click on Email Lists. And then there is the PCOS Natural email thingy for those who want to try the Natural approach to treatment (yadda yadda). AND (thank you thank you thank you!!!) PCOS Australia! And when you've joined, you'll need a list of the abbreviations that are used on the mailing lists. Right, we've got that done. Now for the Symptoms: Acne, Excess body hair, Weight gain/loss, Infertility, Irregular/No periods. Symptoms that not everyone may have: Heat intolerance, Skin itchiness, Headaches, Bowel movement problems. Also, women with PCOS have an increased risk of early-onset heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and reproductive cancers, and a higher incidence of miscarriage and infertility.     SupportGroup.Com PCOS Information Page PCOSupport: The PCOS Association Brianna's Homepage Articles on Women's Health You will hear/see some talk about CAD (Carbohydrate Addicts Diet) and The Zone Diet and Atkins. Here are some links to pages that talk about them. I personally am not an Atkins follower. Everyday Low Carb Cookery The Carbohydrate Addicts Diet The Atkins Center The Originial Low Carb Diet Page (thanks for the URL Angie!) Atkins Diet Low Carbohydrate Headquarters Carbohydrate Charts   I Am A Proud Member Of: Phenomenal Women Of The Web     NOTE: Both Webrings are now Up and Running! ThisWHWWebRingsite is owned byFideal.Click for the [Next Page|Next 5|Random site|List Sites] Want to join the ring? Click here forinfo.   src= _fcksavedurl="" _fcksavedurl=" _fcksavedurl=""" _fcksavedurl=" _fcksavedurl=""" _fcksavedurl=" _fcksavedurl=""" src = pcoring.gif> This PCO Ring site is owned byFideal. Click for the [Previous][Random][Next Site] [Skip Next][Next 5] Click here for info on how to join The PCO Webring. src= src = pconext.gif>     Other links that may be helpful: I don't have Endo and I found that out from a Laparoscopy I had. That is when they make some keyhole incisions and stick a camera thingy in there to have a look. Here is my Endo. page, complete with links to information on what it is, and some support links as well.