University of Puerto Rico at Ponce

English Department
ENGL 4021 M03

MEMORANDUM

DATE: September 20th, 2021

TO: Pier Le Compte, ENGL 4021 Professor, Section M03 at UPR-Ponce
FROM: Lida M. Díaz Solero, ENGL 4021 Student, Section M03 at UPR-Ponce
SUBJECT: Report to “Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome”

On September 16th, 2021, I participated at a one-hour webinar offered by the American Medical
Student Association about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. In the webinar imparted by the
students: Aris M. Class Rivera, Gabriela N. Reyes Zambrana, Lara V. Robledo Cintrón,
Soannette M. Santiago Santiago and Daniela Navarro Negrón important aspects regarding this
syndrome were discussed. The focus points of the discussion were: symptoms, causes,
diagnosis, treatments, and statistics.

Symptoms- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (POS) is a disorder, in which women have elevated levels of
androgen on their body. Therefor, this elevation of androgens can cause symptoms such as an
irregular long menstruation cycle, facial hair, acne, and even male pattern baldness. Some of
these symptoms can be treated at home, but consulting with a doctor is highly recommended,
because these symptoms can be related with other health conditions.

Causes- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The causes of POS are not exact and almost unknown. Nevertheless, studies have shown that
elevated levels of insulin, androgens and inflammation can contribute to the development of
this syndrome.

Diagnosis- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

To diagnose POS there are certain tests such as: blood sample analysis, pelvic exam, or an
ultrasound. The blood sample analysis is used to detect levels of hormones in the blood stream.
The pelvic exam, composed of both visual and manual examination is to detect tumors, changes
of tissue color, and other abnormalities. Finally, the ovarian ultrasound is to check and view
the complete aspects of the ovaries, and the thickness of the lining of the uterus.

Treatment- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Most of the treatments for POS are usually drugs used to treat diseases such as diabetes. These
drugs help regulate insulin levels in the blood and suppress the effects of androgens. Also,
hormonal treatments like birth control pills are used to suppress and control hormone levels,
facial hair, and in some cases, they can regulate menstrual cycle. Statistics show that POS is
one of the most common factors of infertility in women affecting almost five million women
in the United States.

Closing
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome can affect women in their reproductive year, therefor young
women like myself should be taught and educated in this manner. The students leading the
discussion were very emphatic on the phrase “listen to your body”, because women tend to
ignore symptoms regarding the menstrual cycle for the fear of visiting a gynecologist.
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
English Department
ENGL 4021 M03