Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is variation that occurs in those who have ovaries, mainly among individuals who were AFAB (or are otherwise CTF). PCOS can be considered an intersex variation if the individual experiences ovaries produce an excessive amount of androgens (hyperandrogenism).[1] However hyperandrogenism is not required to have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, you just need to meet two of the following[2]:
- Follicles (also referred to as cysts) in the ovaries.
- Excess androgens
- Irregular or rare ovulation cycles
Some symptoms of PCOS can include infertility, irregular menstruation, excess body hair, oily skin, acne, small pieces of excess skin on the neck/armpits, weight gain, and dark/thick skin patches on the neck/armpits/breasts.[3][4]
Someone with PCOS is at risk of experiencing/having liver inflammation, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, abnormal uterine bleeding, cancer of the uterine lining, miscarriages, premature birth, pregnancy-influenced high blood pressure, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.[5]
The exact cause of PCOS is not know, however its currently believed that it can be caused by excess insulin, low-grade inflammation, and may be hereditary.
History
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome was first described in 1935 by American gynecologists Irving F. Stein, Sr. and Michael L. Leventhal, from which the original name of Stein–Leventhal syndrome is taken.[6] Stein and Leventhal first described PCOS as an endocrine disorder and since then, it has become recognized as one of the most common causes of oligo ovulatory infertility among müllerian and some CTF individuals.[7]
The earliest published description of a person with what is now recognized as PCOS was in 1721 in Italy.[8]
Flag
The first two PCOS flags were coined by Tumblr user aestheticlgbtq on December 20th of 2020. Teal was used as it is a color commonly associated with PCOS awareness and represents community and healing, while the circle represents wholeness and encourages a lack of shame over ones body and appearance. Purple represents ambiguity between wolffian and müllerian, while white represents how PCOS can affect any gender.[9]
The third PCOS flag was coined by Wiki user Ayyowazzupking on September 9th of 2021. It has no confirmed meaning.[10]
Note
Although many intersex advocates argue that anyone who has PCOS can describe themselves as intersex, many choose not to for a number of reasons. This is primarily due to the complex nature of PCOS and the variations of its experiences between individuals.[11][12]
References
- ↑ https://interactadvocates.org/no-one-size-fits-all-myths-and-misconceptions-about-pcos/
- ↑ https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/256806-overview
- ↑ https://patient.info/doctor/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pro
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos#:~:text=Polycystic%20ovary%20syndrome%20(PCOS)%20is,that%20form%20in%20the%20ovaries.
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439
- ↑ https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/404754-overview
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4326303
- ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=bpn1u9hziVgC&pg=PA4#v=onepage&q&f=false
- ↑ https://aestheticlgbtq.tumblr.com/post/638041361200906240/proposed-pcos-pride-flag-i-view-pcos-as-being-a
- ↑ https://lgbta.wikia.org/wiki/PCOS?commentId=4400000000000196712
- ↑ https://interactadvocates.org/no-one-size-fits-all-myths-and-misconceptions-about-pcos/
- ↑ https://hanslindahl.com/blog/is-pcos-an-intersex-condition