Cervical cancer and PCOS

• By Pirkar
• Posted October 24, 2008 at 9:12 am
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Hi,
I have also got an impression that some women with dysplasia/cervical cancer have PCOS (or vice versa). I do not have a diagnosed PCOS, but I have for many years (since teanager) had several symptoms, and when I was younger gyn told me that I have polycystic ovaries. I think the connection of PCOS and cervical cancer or dyplasia is probably not much reasearched, but there must be link because women with PCOS seem to have higher risk for developing dysplasia:
1. they have hormonal imbalance (cannot remember exactly, but I think PCOS had to do with too much estrogen, which may make cervical muscosa more vulnerable);
2. PCOS is a chronic illness and may affect general immunity as it causes hormonal imbalance that is related to several secondary illnesses. I would not be surprised if it was established in the future that women with PCOS are more likley to develop dysplasia if they are infected with HPV beacuse their genital immunity is weaker due to hormonal imbalance.
4. Because women with PCOS are usually using contraceptives (Diane 35) to lessen the symptoms for several years (I used Diane for 5 years), they have higher risk for developing dysplasia.

I have a book on PCOS and I will look up if it is written there that PCOS raises risk for cervical cancer.

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• By Jenna_Can_Conquer_It
• Posted October 24, 2008 at 10:52 am
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Thank you for the info. After I wrote that last night I looked it up in the book I had and it says that PCOS can cause cancer but the cancer it causes is endometrial or uterine cancer. But I am wish you on the thoughts that PCOS and Cervical Cancer will one day be connected somehow. I have a severe case of PCOS where I have absolutely no periods and never have had a natural one. Im glad I am not the only one making this connection.

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• By Schleeski
• Posted October 25, 2008 at 5:11 pm
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I have cervical cancer and PCOS. I was under the impression that PCOS didn't contribute to cervical cancer, but it could to other types. However, I never really thought about the things Pirkar said. Hmmm...I will ask my doctor about it. What symptoms do you have from PCOS?

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• By Jenna_Can_Conquer_It
• Posted October 25, 2008 at 5:21 pm
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Well I have a couple symptoms. Depression and more physical things are a weight problem. And the biggest thing I have with PCOS is I am 21 years old and have never had a period that was not induced by birthcontrol. I was 14 and hadn't had a period yet so they ran some tests and theories and thats how they came to the conclusion I have it.

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• By sapphkat
• Posted October 25, 2008 at 11:17 pm
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I have PCOS and had AIS.. so you're not the only one.. definitely interesting if there is a connection.

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• By Schleeski
• Posted October 26, 2008 at 12:49 pm
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Sorry to hear about your symptoms. I gained 50 pounds in 3 months and continuously went to the doctor telling them there was something wrong. A year and a half later they finally diagnosed me. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here. cschlee@hotmail.com

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• By Bloodflowers909
• Posted November 6, 2008 at 2:07 am
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I have PCOS, it has been horrible for me. Since I was 14yrs old I would always have extremely painful, long, and heavy bleeding periods, never did anything about it. When I was 20, I had my period for 6 MONTHS straight! I had to go to the emergency room, where they ran tests and when I followed-up, the ob/gyn diagnosed me with PCOS. I have many of the symptoms ( some which have made me very depressed when it comes to my appearance, I know how you feel Jenna Can Coquer It) irregular bleeding, increased hair growth on my face, and stomach, acne, pelvic pain, obesity, thinning hair, patches of thickened and dark brown skin on my neck, armpits, under my breasts, and thighs, skin tags, sleep apnea, and infertility. I have been blessed that I do not have type 2 diabetes. I currently take birth control pills to regulate my period. I know that PCOS can cause uterine cancer, but I dont think PCOS can effect cervical cancer. Does any one have a family history of PCOS? Im the only one in my family with it, but my mother, aunt, and sister all have had fibroid tumors. I wonder if there is some kind of connection with fibroid tumors and PCOS. (Sorry if I went off subject)

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• By Jenna_Can_Conquer_It
• Posted November 6, 2008 at 10:45 am
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that is ok. I really feel for you. I have the opposite of you. I just dont haver periods. I am overweight and suffer from depression but luckily other than that I have not experianced alot of the symptoms but I guess I am still young enough to develop them. I too found out about mine when I was 14. Same time I found out about dysplasia. Like you no one else in my family has PCOS either. One in ten women have PCOS but many do not know it. Most infertility problems are related to PCOS. You are lucky on the diabetes thing. I have not developed it but my dr said I probably will. Diabetes runs ramped in both sides of my family and they do think that PCOS is somehow tied into diabetes but are not 100 percent sure what causes it. Between whats going on with this and the PCOS I think that part of my body is just doomed.

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• By Bloodflowers909
• Posted November 10, 2008 at 2:39 am
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I cant believe you experienced the dysplasia and the pcos at such a young age. Yeah Im thankful about the diabetes but my doctor said that if I dont drop some weight it will develop, its such a major discussion when I go (its difficult to lose weight, which Ive seen on some websites is because of the PCOS) Did your doctor mention losing weight? It is so frustrating being at risk for all these health problems from PCOS. I know what you mean when you think that that part of your body is doomed. I feel that I wont ever have children, which I desperately desire.

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• By Jenna_Can_Conquer_It
• Posted November 10, 2008 at 7:26 am
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I feel the same about children but there is still hope. I had a friend that had pretty severe PCOS and she now has 2 beautiful children. She did not have CIN or CC but she still thought she may be infertile. She hadnt had a period in 6 months and very randomly somehow through a miracle got pregnant. after natalie was born her body somehow just straightened out in and less than a year later she was pregnant again. So as long as I dont end up in a hysterectomy or something I try to tell myself there i still hope on the children. And yes the weight is connected to PCOS. My dr told me that they are not sure if the PCOS causes the weight or if the weight causes the PCOS. I was on the verge of diabetes when I was 16. I had alot of health problems when I was younger. And this is embaressing to say but at the age of 15 I was almost 400 pounds. I am still heavy but I lost over 150 pounds when I get sent to a teen help center for troubled teens. Some of my symptoms of PCOS really cleared up with the weight loss but the lack of periods is one thing that has never changed. My dr was very happy I lost that much weight because I was borderline diabetic and the PCOS but he told me I will never ever be totally thin or slim due to this disease. Just knowing the problems I have I am afraid everyday that the weight may come back If I let myself out of control. But anyways all I am trying to say is none of this is impossible. You may never be able to loose all the weight but you can loose some and get yourself a bit healthier. Dont give up on kids until they tell you there is no possibility and then there are still other options. Dont give up.

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• By Boog
• Posted July 8, 2009 at 9:43 am
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Wow! I have been looking for a post like this one! I'm 25 years old. Just diagnosed with PCOS and HPV this year. What a year! I am currently 4 weeks post leep now. I have been visiting an Encronologist for testing, They thought I had Cushings instead of PCOS ( I have a small tumor on my pituitary gland). Anyway, I have the same concerns about having children. When I ask my doctors if I have a certain window of time, they both blow it off? I would like to have children in the future. Has anyone been told to concieve ASAP? I've been in a relationship with my current bf for going on three years. Not sure if marriage is in the future but want to have kids. I looked into freezing eggs but it's way too expensive. Should I see a ferilization specialist? Please share your experience. Oh, for the LEEP I had CIN II- clear margins and am just waiting for my follow up pap... Praying for a normal result. Any diet tips are welcome also. I gained thirty pounds in one year and haven't had a cycle since March 1st, 09- Tonight will be my first night taking PROMENTRIUM to induce a cycle... Help ladies!!! :)

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• By Optimus
• Posted October 12, 2009 at 4:42 am
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From what the doctor has told me, the effects of hpv on men is far less harmful than for women. I'm a guy. I'm somewhere along the lines of staunch, well built, stout hearted bloke raised in a family of only brothers. I was going through the invincibility phase of my life as a young man just a few months ago, until I fell in love. The armours were stripped and there I was like a sinner before the gates of heaven. You make this girl you're whole world. Her and I had those moments where everything seems just about perfect. Until these complications come up. She's had PCOS since she was a child. Prior to being sexually active with her I'd only engaged in sexual congress/intercourse with my ex-girfriend and that girl was a virgin. It's quite apparent though that somehow I've given my girlfriend-now [the love of my life] HPV and her tests from her smear have come in with her having mild dyplasia or Cin1. As by now you'd guess I've researched (googled) my nights into all the possible outcomes on the internet. I just wanna state from a male's point of view, it is unfair that women have to suffer for what we as men give them. It's very sad. And it's hell for a guy that really loves her to know this is his fault and wishing he could have all her illness and not her. She's really afraid of what might happen to her, she's imagining herself fighting for her life. But she's hasn't confirmed with the doctor whether she has cancer at all. I was impressed with the posts made by the women in here, you're all so brave and strong. When a man makes a woman his whole world, the world as it is becomes, a womans world. The worse part is, she had left to California 3 months ago and I wont see her till 2 months time. A long distance relationship with the love of your life plus full university is hard enough, but with the possibility of cancer? God give me strength.

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• By kalalor
• Posted October 12, 2009 at 8:40 am
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Optimus,

You sound like a wonderful man. I'm sure you're representing many of the feelings some of our partners feel. I know my boyfriend feels horribly, but I have never once blamed him in my mind...not ever...I'm sure your gf appreciates the concern and your time investing into understanding what she's experiencing the best that you can. Just continue to be there, while it's hard long distance, you will continue to be her strength and that's something she will never be able to thank you enough for.

-Kristi

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