PCOS affects an estimated 1 in 10 women and puts them at risk for a number of medical conditions, including diabetes, stroke, or heart attack. However, PCOS is not widely known or well understood even within the medical community.
Awareness is the first step to diagnosing and managing the condition, and the PCOS Foundation and Amerejuve MedSpa invite Houston to join them at the Bayou City Step Challenge 5k on September 21st at the Houston Downtown Aquarium to raise awareness about PCOS.
“Lisa Benjamini and team at the PCOS Foundation have done an excellent job to raise awareness about this treatable condition that negatively affects millions of women,” said Vincent Chitolie, Chief Operating Officer of Amerejuve. “The Amerejuve team is pleased to partner with the PCOS Foundation in their cause.”
PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. The effects of the condition vary significantly from woman to woman, which adds to the difficulty of diagnosis. Multiple cysts or follicles on the ovaries are a primary symptom of the condition, as well as hormonal imbalances and irregular menstrual cycles. Other symptoms are varied and can include excess hair growth, weight gain, infertility, depression, anxiety, skin conditions, and others. Many of these symptoms can be addressed with medspa services such as laser hair removal and weight management, though women who think they may have PCOS should consult a physician who specializes in the condition to manage the underlying condition.
“PCOS patients who are suffering from excessive hair growth and weight gain are welcome to visit or call any Amerejuve and Amerefit clinics for help with these treatable symptoms,” said Chitolie.
PCOS has also been linked to increased risk of stroke, diabetes, and other life-threatening conditions. Diagnosis and treatment can help manage these risks, adding to the importance of accurate diagnosis.
Many women struggle with PCOS for years before receiving the official diagnosis, and they often feel confused and alone in the physical issues the condition can cause. A major part of the annual event is supporting women with PCOS and celebrating their successes in controlling the condition with medication, nutrition, and exercise.
The top female runner of the 2013 event, Yaixa Episcopo, was diagnosed with PCOS at age 19. She struggled for years with weight gain, infertility, and depression. At last year’s 5k, she was proud to report she’d lost 72 pounds over two years, and her two daughters were present to cheer her on and help carry her trophy.
“You’ll be amazed at how strong we are and how beautiful we are,” she said of women with PCOS.
That support is an important part of the event and the PCOS Foundation, President and Founder Lisa Benjamini-Allon said.
“We want to let women know they’re not alone. They’re somebody there for them,” she said.
Learn more in The Amerejuve Insider, Vol. 2 No. 2. To learn more about PCOS and the PCOS Foundation or to register for the 5k, visit www.pcosfoundation.org.