{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Sasha Pieterse, who stars in “Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists,” wants you to be informed about ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.theskimm.com/wellness/pcos-meaning-symptoms-covid-infertility"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"PCOS","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":". It’s a hormonal disorder that can be tough to diagnose. Pieterse has it, and is sharing her experience with it. ","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Remind me. What does PCOS stand for?","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Polycystic ovary syndrome. It affects 1 in 10 women, including Pieterse. PCOS can be caused by a ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.theskimm.com/wellness/hormones-estrogen-progesterone-testosterone-thyroid-explained"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"hormonal","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" imbalance. Sometimes it can come with ovarian cysts, irregular ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.theskimm.com/wellness/reproductive-health-fertility-options"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"ovulation","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":", or an excess of male hormones like testosterone.  ","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"How is PCOS diagnosed?","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Diagnosing PCOS typically starts by discussing the ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8316-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"symptoms","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":" with a doctor. Pieterse had symptoms ranging from ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"weight gain to irregular periods","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":". After that, doctors may perform a blood test, ultrasound, and/or pelvic exam to investigate a potential PCOS diagnosis. It wasn’t that simple for Pieterse, though. She went to 17 different gynecologists before someone recommended that she visit an endocrinologist — a doctor that specializes in glands and the hormones they produce.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Did they help her reach a PCOS diagnosis?","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"They did. This endocrinologist suggested Pieterse get a blood test to determine if she had polycystic ovary syndrome. It was the first time in five years that Pieterse was on her way to a proper diagnosis.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"theSkimm","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"heading-2"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"PCOS affects almost 5 million women. Once Pieterse was properly diagnosed she was ready to share her story to help others get informed. If you think you’re experiencing symptoms, make an ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://www.theskimm.com/wellness/doctor-checkups"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"underline"}],"value":"appointment with your doctor","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":". ","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"italic"},{"type":"bold"}],"value":"Updated on Apr. 11 ","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{},"marks":[{"type":"italic"}],"value":"to reflect new information.","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{"target":{"sys":{"id":"7J5gXel0tdV1OD00NYhzIw","type":"Link","linkType":"Entry"}}},"content":[],"nodeType":"embedded-entry-block"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"document"}