Joyce R.
Pcos and cushings are VERY related!! In PCOS, the ovaries tend to produce ovarian cysts/tumors-----the ovaries are part of the endocrine system. According to Dr. Cushings own writings Cushings can be caused by tumors ANYWHERE in the body; ie, ovarian tumors, or adiposis dolorsa--"painful, pendulous fat tumors in fatty tissues" which indicate both thyroid and pituitary involvement. As well as pituitary basophilism--overgrowth of basophil cells of the anterior lobe of the pituitary. Once part of the endocrine system is out of balance, it affects the rest of it, with a miriad of symptoms. Most Dr.s don't take the time to put it "together"---they go symptom -by -symptom, instead of looking at the whole picture. The problem with PCOS is that it's cyclicly influenced and cortisol levels may rise and fall cyclicly and may not appear to be "significantly" high enough to be diagnosed properly as cushings. That's where the WHOLE "picture" comes in------ 1) Rapid obesity of face, trunk, neck 2) face puffy, full, round, sometimes reddened 3) "Pad" of fat between shoulders at back of neck 4) Discoloration of darkened skin at back collar line of neck 5) Loss of muscle structure in arms/legs 6) Exercise is in-effective 7) Weakness, tiredness,possibly fatigue 8) abdominal pain 9) constipation and digestive problems 10) loss of labido 11)abnormal hair growth 12) possible hypertension 13) possible fatty tumors 14) low immunity 15) possible headache "behind" the eyes 16) possible middle back tenderness/pain in the kidney area If you have these problems along with your PCOS, you also have Cushings---likely as a result of ovarian tumors. It might be nice if your Dr. read up on it for you---most don't.