Studies have shown that lesbian women are more likely to suffer from the hormonal imbalances of Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome. This may be volatile information. Some may think that the presentation of this material is evidence that “lesbianism is a disease that can be cured” While that approach may be inflammatory, the importance of the risk factor information should not go ignored. PCOS is a life changing, dangerous risk factor that has far reaching complications and symptoms. Without diagnosis and proper treatment including dietary changes, exercise and supplementation, PCOS could lead to more dangerous diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Studies show that there is a higher incidence of PCOS among lesbians than in heterosexual women. Many lesbian women find that they have PCOS when seeking fertility treatment to start their families.  Lesbian women seem to be less symptomatic than heterosexual women and don't seem to present to their doctors with multiple symptoms of PCOS or related disorders such as dark facial hairs, chin hairs, and male pattern baldness around their temples and crown and acne. Without experiencing some of the external symptoms, lesbian women are often left undiagnosed and untreated. When untreated or managed, PCOS can develop into insulin resistance or pre-diabetes. 80% of the lesbian women who visited the London clinic showed signs of PCOS compared to only 32% of heterosexual women. Fully diagnosed PCOS was also greater in the lesbian population of visits to London Clinic. 38% of lesbians and only 14% of heterosexual woman were diagnosed with PCOS.

The researchers made it a point to state that they weren't trying to suggest that lesbianism is caused by a hormonal imbalance rather make sure that lesbian women were treated by doctors who knew that they were at greater risk for PCOS. The researchers made it a point to state that by suggesting and offering their findings they were in no way offering or suggesting that they were looking to find a cure for lesbianism, nor that they thought lesbianism was a diseased state that needed to be cured.

PCOS is the most common endocrine (hormonal) condition among women who menstruate and may affect up to 20% of women of reproductive age in America. The symptoms can vary widely from woman to woman. Not all women have all the symptoms, which range from irregular or completely absent periods to hirsuitism or excessive facial or body hair), ovarian cysts and Alopecia (male pattern hair loss). Other symptoms can include obesity, acne, excessively oily skin and skin tags, Acanthosis Nigricans (brown skin patches), high cholesterol levels, exhaustion, poor sleep patterns or lack of mental alertness and decreased sex drive.

Doctors very often misdiagnose PCOS. This situation became of critical concern after a University of Pittsburgh study in 2000 found that PCOS sufferers have a higher risk of coronary heart disease. Researchers discovered an increased association between PCOS and atherosclerosis, which occurs when fatty deposits called plaque cling to the interior walls of the arteries, leading to blockages that can cause heart attacks or stroke.

Not only do PCOS sufferers have higher rates of plaque build-up but those over 45 also have thicker deposits of plaque. In addition, the imbalance of glucose and insulin levels caused in women with PCOS leads to a lowering of “good” cholesterol and an increase in the level of triglycerides, which are fat-storing substances, carried through the bloodstream to the tissues. These factors also increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

Therefore, it is important to recognize and correctly diagnose PCOS among all women to prevent the devastating future consequences.

Lesbian women in particular should seek the advice and diagnosis of their physician if experiencing symptoms such as the ones mentioned above. As research suggests the lesbian population experiences much greater rates of PCOS that can lead to insulin resistance, infertility, diabetes, heart disease and more. If you are a woman with PCOS it can be helpful to search the web for support resources to assist you with your symptoms and general well being.