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What Is PCOS?

Just below we're going to jump into exactly what PCOS is and the signs and symptoms your need to be looking for. Let's get started...

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is the most common endocrine disorder that affects as many as 5% to 10% of women in their reproductive age. 'What is PCOS?' This can be a tough question to answer as it is a syndrome characterized by many signs and symptoms but with no specific known causes. It is defined as a condition where a woman experiences hormonal imbalance due to the malfunctioning of her ovaries. The condition is characterized by three main indicators.

Ovaries with multiple cysts, at least more than 10
Irregular, inadequate, or absence of menstrual periods, and disturbed or no ovulation
Higher level of androgens (male hormones) in the body

This disorder derives its name from the fact that many of the affected women have polycystic ovaries. But having this malady does not indicate or confirm the condition, as it is only one of the factors or symptoms that are present in most women diagnosed with this syndrome. PCOS is established only when she shows at least 2 of the 3 conditions mentioned above.

In order to understand what Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is, it is better to look at the symptoms than explore the causes or specific conditions. There is a range of signs and symptoms that can be present in women effected. It is not necessary that all affected women will have all the symptoms or that all the symptoms will surface at the same time.

Many symptoms and signs develop only gradually and there are many women who have PCOS but do not show any visible signs. The three indicators mentioned above give rise to the most common of signs and symptoms associated with this syndrome.

So What is PCOS? It's that the ovaries have not completely developed or they do not function properly. Every woman produces androgens in small amounts. Androgen is the hormone responsible for masculine qualities in either sex. Affected women these levels are relatively high and interfere with the production and release of eggs from the ovaries. This results in irregular, scanty or no menstrual bleeding. Also, this condition makes it difficult for patients to conceive making infertility one of the most common signs of the syndrome.

Higher levels of androgens also give rise to male like characteristics in the female body. Hirsutism is one such problem that many woman suffering with PCOS are presented with. These women experience male pattern hair growth on some parts of the body, such as sideburns, upper lips, chest and stomach hair. Some might also experience male pattern hair loss and develop bald patches. Excessive androgens also affect the sex binding globulin hormone (SHBG), and reduces the sex drive in many affected women.

Many women with PCOS have hyperinsulinemia, or insulin resistance leading to higher levels of insulin in the body. These increased levels of insulin also give rise to excessive androgen secretion which only exacerbates the existing condition. It is the simultaneous presence of these multiple conditions that can perhaps loosely define and help with the diagnosis and treatment.

Another important factor to keep in mind with a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome diagnosis is that it is suspected to be genetic. In clinical research studies of what it is, many cases have shown that the hormonal imbalance runs in the families.

So, even if you do not completely understand PCOS (Although I hoped this article has helped), you must consult a physician if you see the slightest symptoms of this syndrome and you know that someone in your family has already had it.

Things to Consider About Costume Jewelry

You may be wondering what makes a costume jewelry piece more valuable or sought after than another? What is the best way to wear it? Are there general guidelines that make some pieces perfect for an outing while others would not work? What things should I consider? The following is a brief discussion of these issues and while I don't claim to be a world renowned authority on this subject, I have done some study of the issues and want to offer my own personal viewpoint. Most of what I say appeals to use of common sense, but it is up to you, the reader, to apply my suggestions or to simply ignore them. That is your choice.

A strong advantage of costume jewelry is that it comes in many styles and can go with many outfits. Beside that, and equally important, is the fact that it is affordable making it a possibility for anyone on a tight budget. There is no age requirement for wearing costume jewelry so feel free to express yourself without hesitation. An aspect of the value of costume jewelry that may often be overlooked has to do with its finish. The most common choice is either a golden or a silver shade. Which is better? Is gold superior to a silver tone since it is often perceived as more valuable? I beg to differ. The answer to that is one of personal preference and can be different for different people, but using your own concept of style to determine which goes best with the outfit you are wearing is probably the best solution. However, the most desirable pieces usually contain a metallic component made by electroplating it onto the surfaces to form a solid, permanent piece. As a rule, if the metallic surface can be scraped off with your fingernail, it is cheap and you should stay away from it. Another factor to be considered, and one that requires a little prior knowledge, is to be cautious of any allergic reactions that you may encounter. You certainly don't want to have the occasion spoiled by the emergence of an unsightly rash.

The main attraction of a piece is normally the gemstones. These are available in many different shapes and sizes to fit any mood. As with finish choice, the shape you choose is up to your own personal tastes, but I would advise that you stick with natural stone colors and I believe that smaller stones are usually better and classier than large ones. You don't want anything that could be interpreted as snobbish, uppity, or ostentatious. Watch out for and avoid painted or foil backings as well as lightweight plastic. They are clear indicators of a cheap, almost worthless, piece. You want to look for pronged or hand-tied settings since they are typically indicative of a more sturdy piece. As a general rule, you are advised to be mindful of the fact that the materials and mountings are key to determining the piece's value so be sure to consider both criteria before deciding on which one to purchase or wear.

The number one rule for wearing costume jewelry is, in my opinion, that the less the jewelry screams to be noticed and the more it serves as an accent to your style the better. It is best to keep things as simple as possible and avoid being a bit distracting by wearing too much or too overbearing costume jewelry. I also think that wearing jewelry that matches rings, bracelets, earrings, headbands, and necklaces makes an awful statement and is just gaudy. One doesn't pair jewelry with sweats, T-shirts, or other work-out clothing either. Fancy jewelry is best matched with evening wear while casual jewelry can be paired with jeans.

Use your own good judgement, follow these guidelines, and you should be well dressed at all times.

Why Women Should Run the World

Around 12,000 years ago, when agricultural societies began to form, women were honoured and revered. In ancient India, women were considered superior to men. What happened to this world?

Early religions included both male and female gods and goddesses. The Goddess of Fertility was more powerful than the God of the Sky. It was the Earth-goddess, Gaia, who gave birth to all the Gods, after all.

When monotheism, the belief in one God, was introduced, the female started to lose her reign. As more and more pagan religions were suppressed, women were reduced to an inferior position. Masculine rulers usurped feminine power in the societies they conquered, and they absorbed and distorted the feminine into their own beliefs. Over time, goddesses became saints and were reinvented as nuns. The Goddess/Mother figure began to disappear from view, and eventually the female principle was silenced. The Christian trinity, which had previously been represented by Maiden, Mother, and Crone, each symbolizing a stage in the female life cycle, was replaced by a male deity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Today's corporations, religious institutions, political organizations and educational systems were designed hundreds of years ago around this masculine structure. They operate as hierarchies with a male leader at the top, just like the Christian trinity. These traditional structures value a logical, textual, competitive, and analytical perspective. This approach is considered to be strong and necessary for survival. The feminine approach - less logical and more intuitive, less analytical and more emotional, less textual and more aesthetic, less competitive and more cooperative - is considered less essential and is therefore devalued.

Today, not much has changed. Men continue to run the world. According to a 2009 study by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, women occupied only 37% of management roles in the boardroom, and more women currently work in low-level supervisor positions than in senior ones. A recent report by the Conference Board of Canada says that men are currently more than twice as likely to hold a senior executive position than women. A report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says women make up only 25% of provincial and territorial legislatures and they lag even farther behind in the private sector with only 14.5% of seats on corporate boards. Only one of Canada's top 100 CEOs is a woman.

Women bring many outstanding qualities to the leadership role - confidence, vision, a well-developed sense of work/life balance, great education, a sense of giving to others, a nurturing spirit, empathy, compassion and kindness. In a world gone mad, where we value competition, status, power, and control (all masculine qualities), we desperately need these feminine qualities.

If we wish to save the world before we destroy ourselves, we need to flood our institutions with female leaders. When we combine the rational masculine with the empathic feminine, we gain a balanced wisdom. We need both the masculine and the feminine, the yin and the yang, in order to restore wisdom and balance to our world.

The old male ways of controlling the world, which worked well for us for many centuries, are no longer working. Our world is in disarray. The feminine, viewed as a luxury in our traditional world, is now essential for our survival.

Feeling Fab After Giving Birth

One of the joys of marriage for any couple is having a baby. It is that miracle of creation that solidifies even more the bond between husband and wife. Looking at the face of a newborn can do wonders in making one feel better even after a long, hard day at work. Caring for that little bundle of joy, although challenging, is also very exciting, especially for first-time parents.

There are women, though, who experience postpartum depression, or having that feeling of anxiety or depression after giving birth. There can be many causes for this, and they're a result of a combination of hormonal, genetic, psychological, and biochemical factors. However, there are women whose self-esteem is affected because they feel they no longer have the fit and sexy body they had before pregnancy.

If you want to look fab and beautiful after giving birth, here are a few tips:

Wear clothes that make you look good - Wearing your pre-pregnancy outfits may not complement your postpartum body. What you can do is to get clothes that fit you and enhance your shape instead of making you look like, well, you've just given birth.

Go back to the gym - Doing exercise is not only about getting back in shape, it's also about feeling good about yourself. One of the causes of postpartum depression is low self-esteem, and one of the ways to cope with it is to do something that can help bring it back.

Eat right - Mothers need to be properly nourished when breastfeeding. However, this doesn't mean you have to eat calorie-laden foods. To satisfy your craving for food, you can eat low-calorie granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, and dark chocolates. You can also include high-protein snacks in your diet to make you feel better.

Catch a few winks - They say that you have to be awake whenever your baby's awake and sleep when he sleeps. However, parenting is a shared responsibility, so you can ask your husband to take care of your little one when he's home so you can catch some much-needed slumber. A power nap can do wonders in making you feel good and help you in recovering after giving birth.

Get rid of leg veins - One of the things that can make a woman who has just given birth feel bad about herself is having to deal with leg veins. Although leg veins are inherited, they can get worse after pregnancy. You can eliminate with modern medical innovations like sclerotherapy.

Feel and look beautiful after giving birth so you can easily bring back your self-esteem and you can cope easier with postpartum depression should it hit you.

How to Ace Any Beauty Pageant Question!

This question has a very simple answer. "Give the RIGHT answer". One must dissect what goes on in pageants in order to understand my answer. Having participated in just one pageant, I am not an expert on this subject, but based on my experience this is the right answer (pun intended) to the question posed in the title.

I participated in the Mrs Colorado pageant at the ripe "young" age of 44. I had recently gone through a long and arduous fight against breast cancer and felt I had a lot to give other women who were fighting this same fight. Having a modeling and image background, a beauty pageant was a comfortable venue for me to go into. As I prepped for the pageant I was told that my score would be based on three things:

1. the strength of my marriage

2. my interview with the judges

3. my general poise and stage presence

The weekend of the pageant arrived and I found myself competing with gals who could be my daughters. I quickly became aware that even though this was called a "Mrs" beauty pageant it was truly just a beauty pageant with a marriage pre-requisite and therefore allowed for a larger age range than most pageants.

As the live portion of the pageant was winding down, one by one the top ten names were read and mine was not one of them. (FYI: I did find out later that I was ranked 15th out of the fifty participants. Not bad for my first, and only, pageant.)

This left me free to watch the ten remaining women as a spectator. As each answered their individual questions I was bit disappointed at the shallowness of some of the answers - and, then I was surprised as those with the most shallow questions advanced to the final five. However, it was the final question and the answers to that question that left me stunned at who was crowned Mrs Colorado that year.

The final question was: "What have you learned about yourself this weekend that will make you the best Mrs Colorado?"

I had come into the pageant with an agenda. I was ready to take the state by storm and tell women that - despite a deadly disease like breast cancer that ravages the body and a women's identity - you are beautiful inside and out and should live each day with gusto. However, as I had listened to the gal's stories throughout the weekend I had realized that I had no better reason to be Mrs Colorado than any of the others. We were all special women with individual life struggles, from infertility to disease to broken relationships - and the list goes on. Sitting there watching these last five contestants I silently answered that question this way. "I have learned that I am no better or deserving of being Mrs Colorado than any of these other wonderful contestants and that is why I am ready to be Mrs Colorado. I believe I can now represent our state in an unbiased and selfless way".

To my chagrin the women who won answered the question with this simple, right answer. "I have learned that I am ready to be Mrs Colorado".

I had a fan rooting for me that evening in the crowd who was a former Miss Colorado. When I expressed my surprise and dismay at the answer given by the newly crowned Mrs Colorado, this friend told me she had given the right answer. They wanted only to hear that she knew she had it within herself to be a winner.

By now, I am sure you can tell I am not a big fan of beauty pageants. They do have some good qualities and some gals really do learn and grow from the experience - unfortunately, I do not believe that is the generally the case. You have to play the "game", doing things the judges way and answering questions the way they want. Reflecting on the weekend of the pageant I realized I had not even known there was a game I was supposed to be playing to win - and if I had, I would not have been willing to be a player.

If you can play the game AND be true to yourself and your beliefs - go for it! Get in there and make each pageant you enter a better place and when you win, share yourself and your beliefs openly as you represent your city, county, state, country or world.

Just know that to ace any beauty pageant question... you must know the RIGHT answer and be willing to give it when asked.

Couture Wedding Dresses Equal More Confidence on the Big Day

Many brides don't even consider the option of couture wedding dresses. Instead they choose an off the rail design and get it altered to fit their figure. Of course, many of these designs are quite beautiful, but they do involve compromise to some extent. That's the downside of buying dresses that are designed for the "everywoman" rather than an individual.

But if you are thinking of going down this more common route you may want to think again. Couture wedding dresses have a lot to offer - not least the ability for you to feel a lot more confident on the day. Read on to find out more.

You can have a design that fits your figure

No two women have exactly the same figure and yet we are all expected to fit into standard sizes of clothing! The same applies to to bridal gowns: you can have alterations made to a dress that has already been designed, but it is not the same as having one that has been designed for you and you alone.

You can disguise bits you're not confident about

We all have areas of our bodies that we don't feel 100% happy with - it doesn't matter whether it's your tummy, your arms, your legs or anywhere in between. The one thing that matters is that you feel confident on your big day and happy walking up the aisle in your bridal gown - and this is much easier to do if you have a dress made specifically for you. Your designer can take all your measurements and listen to your ideas for the type of dress you want, and then work with you to create the perfect gown. It will cover the areas you aren't happy with and accentuate the best bits, making you feel a lot more confident in the process.

You can be inspired by what other brides have worn

Have you ever seen someone famous get married and dreamed of wearing a dress just like theirs? If you have (and many women would probably admit to this) you can do just that if you opt for couture wedding dresses instead of readymade ones. This type of inspiration makes it a lot easier for the designer to discern exactly what kind of style you like best, too.

As you can see, confidence can be yours to enjoy on your big day if you opt for a bridal gown made just for you. You may not have through you could afford this option, but make some enquiries and you may well be surprised.