A Culprit in Infertility

Now I thought I heard everything related to PCOS, but this is new to me. Is it possible that a large percentage of women who were diagnosed with PCOS, actually have something else? Something that is EASILY treated, and can restore your fertility much easier than the treatments required to control PCOS?

Have you heard of something called nonclassical cogenital adrenal hyperplasia (C.A.H.) ? Honestly, neither have I but it looks like something we ALL should research a little further.

CAH provides the same symptoms as PCOS; irregular periods, excess facial hair, acne, etc. This article states that many women with PCOS can also have a mild form of CAH as well, basically compounding the side affects & disfficulties.

It is the most common of the autosomal recessive diseases, in which a child inherits two copies of a recessive gene from his parents — a class that includes sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs and cystic fibrosis. This caught my eye because my family, like many with a European heritage, are carriers of the Cystic Fibrosis gene. The symptoms are often quite noticable, in terms of different looking genitalia, or genital malformations, however its extremely important to note, not everyone with the disease has symptoms or needs to be treated.

The important thing to realize is not all fertility centers test for CAH. Some OB/GYN’s are unaware of the disease and its effect on fertility (big surprise there, huh?) You’ll have to request a hormone blood test, or genetic test which can diagnose CAH.

To read more about CAH, and how it can be diagnosed, click here