Prejudice against overweight and obese women can also delay diagnosis. Some doctors equate large bodies with laziness, emotional problems or lack of willpower, says Bettye Travis, president of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. An overweight woman with PCOS is already at high risk of developing endometrial cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Not receiving proper treatment for PCOS can dramatically increase her chances of getting these serious diseases. It may simply be that more information about PCOS has led to the syndrome s being recognized, diagnosed and treated more often, says Dr. Legro .
Many experts think the number of women getting the disorder is growing, too.
Researchers believe PCOS can be either genetic or acquired. And relatives often tend to have insulin problems. Women who acquire PCOS may develop it in response to certain environmental factors, such as extreme stress. Perhaps the most disturbing trend is that the incidence of teenagers getting PCOS is on the rise and more young women are being diagnosed with the syndrome, says Dr. Feinberg. There may be a higher concern about endometrial cancer in these women.