Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) sounds pretty scary. At least once a week I hear from ayoung woman who has just been diagnosed with PCOS. Far too often her doctor has said something like this, "You will not be able to get pregnant without help, if at all. You may get cancer, heart disease or diabetes. Lose weight, take metformin, come back when you want to get pregnant." These women are terrified and often very depressed about their future. Yes, PCOS is a serious diagnosis, but it is not as bad as these doctors make it seem.

Most women with PCOS do have children if they want them. Yes, it is often more difficult to conceive with PCOS, but most wome suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome are able to have children even if some of them need medical help to do it.

Polycystic ovary syndrome raises your risk of diabetes, certain cancers and heart disease. What the doctors leave out is that there are ways to significantly reduce your risk. PCOS is a wake-up call to take care of your body. It is a reminder that you can't take your health for granted. It is no where near the doom and gloom prognosis that many women are given.

Treating PCOS is not easy. I don't like having to pay attention to my diet and exercise. I would prefer to keep flying by the seat of my pants through life. Slowiing down and taking care of myself are worth it and the same things I have to do to care for my PCOS symptoms are the same things experts are now receommending we all do to take care of ourselves. Eat right, sleep right, exercise, relax....

I have been struggling with PCOS since puberty. More than 20 years later I am still going strong. I do have to be careful to take care of myself a little more than average. I am still working on having a baby. But my life is full and I am able to control the worst PCOS symptoms by taking good care of myself.

Living with PCOS is not always easy. It is far easier than living with many, many other conditions. In many ways I feel lucky to have PCOS instead of some of the illnesses I see other people struggling with.

When you learn you have PCOS it can throw you for a loop. Pick yourself up, learn more about it, learn how to take care of your body.

Most PCOS symptoms can be reduced or eliminated with good self care. Take the time to listen to your body and take care of yourself and you will reap the rewards. PCOS is a wake-up call - not a tragedy.