PCOS Challenge Brings Together Leading Experts on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome for Awareness Symposium

ATLANTA, July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- PCOS Challenge announces its annual PCOS Awareness Symposium in the Atlanta, Georgia metro area on Sunday, September 21, 2014. The event will feature some of the world's leading Polycystic Ovary Syndrome experts, and bring together clinicians, researchers and hundreds of patients for a day of sharing experiences, insights and the latest updates about PCOS.

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PCOS is a complex hormonal, metabolic and reproductive disorder that affects 10 percent of women of reproductive age. It is a leading cause of female infertility and has devastating effects on women's and girls' self esteem and social development due to symptoms including: excess facial hair growth, acne, hair loss, depression and obesity. Women with PCOS constitute the largest group of women at risk for cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes. The National Institutes of Health estimates that 50 percent of women with PCOS will become diabetic or pre-diabetic by age 40. Some studies have also shown women with PCOS to be at higher risk for suicide as well as endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer.

"PCOS is one of the most critical, underserved, under-diagnosed and under-funded conditions affecting women's health," says Sasha Ottey, Executive Director of PCOS Challenge, Inc., one of the largest 501(c)(3) PCOS support organizations. "We need the help of media, government agencies and funding sources to improve patient outcomes and help save lives. There is a significant health disparity when it comes to diagnosis and funding for PCOS awareness, support and research. It is estimated that 50 percent of women with PCOS are going undiagnosed. Despite affecting millions of women and the serious health consequences, PCOS support and awareness organizations receive less than 1 percent of the government, foundation, corporate and community funding that other health conditions receive. It is time we make PCOS a public health priority."

The PCOS Challenge Symposium has gotten the support of leading researchers and experts in the field who know that education about the disorder is key to improving competence of healthcare providers and changing the future for women with PCOS.

"Every patient and healthcare professional who sees women with PCOS should attend the symposium," says Dr. Rachael Ross, co-host on the Emmy award-winning talk show, The Doctors. "I'm supporting PCOS Challenge because there needs to be more attention and education around this important disorder among physicians, patients and the general public. Millions of women with PCOS are going undiagnosed and untreated. This must change."

Dr. Ricardo Azziz, CEO of Georgia Regents Health System, says, "PCOS affects at least 1 in 10 women, and has very important detrimental consequences if not treated or predicted early. Many women with PCOS don't know they have the disorder. Often, it takes 5 to 7 doctors and many years before they find someone who can help them with their disorder. This symposium is critically important because we desperately need to educate more doctors and patients about the condition."

The PCOS Awareness Symposium, presented by PCOS Challenge, Inc., will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2014 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Lake Lanier Islands Resort located at 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford, Georgia. The event is free for patients.

Sponsors include Georgia Regents Health System, Georgia Regents University, Androgen Excess and PCOS Society, Georgia Reproductive Specialists, Reproductive Biology Associates, PCOS Nutrition Center and Fairhaven Health.

For PCOS Awareness Symposium partnership and sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.pcoschallenge.org/sponsor.

For more information and to register, visit http://www.pcoschallenge.org/symposium.

Contact:
N. Kali Mincy
(404) 855-7244

SOURCE PCOS Challenge, Inc.