In biology, there are some traits and diseases that, at first glance, seem almost impossible to explain—how on earth did they survive the evolutionary process without being weeded out? For example, why do we still have wisdom teeth, which serve absolutely no purpose and cause endless trouble? Or why do animals help their fellow species members, even at the cost of risking their own lives? Or why haven't devastating diseases like Alzheimer's and sickle cell anemia disappeared? Or why do we see homosexuality in so many animal species, even though it lowers an individual's reproductive success? Each of these is a fantastic question that deserves its own video—and they all have incredibly good answers. Another one is polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS for short. It's a condition that affects 1 in 10 women today, and according to some broader diagnostic criteria, maybe even 1 in 5. That is a mind-boggling rate because PCOS, which is essentially a hormonal imbalance, often reduces a woman's fertility or makes her completely sterile! And that's not all! Because women with PCOS produce more male hormones like testosterone, they can experience excessive hair growth similar to men, weight gain especially around the waist, frustrating facial acne, and even male-pattern baldness. So... why does a disease like this still exist? Why is it so incredibly common? And how is it that 70% of women who have this condition go through their entire lives without even realizing they have PCOS? Let's dive into this fascinating and vital topic, one that hundreds of women have asked me about.

#PCOS #Disease #Evolution

00:00 Intro: Why Does PCOS Still Exist?
01:50 See You at the Agora Science Market!
02:39 What We Get Wrong About the Female Reproductive System
04:26 What is PCOS?
06:18 What is the Most Distinct Symptom of PCOS?
08:28 What Happens When FSH Secretion is Disrupted?
09:39 Do Women Have Testosterone?
10:40 The Rotterdam Criteria: 3 Ways to Know if You Have PCOS!
13:00 Why Does PCOS Still Exist Today?
14:52 Why Did PCOS Evolve in Humans?
16:07 Why Can't Nursing Mothers Conceive?
17:19 Does Homosexuality Lower Reproductive Success?
18:21 Can Women with PCOS Conceive?
18:57 Is PCOS Genetic?
20:01 Epigenetics and PCOS
20:55 External Factors That Trigger PCOS
22:08 Is There a Treatment for PCOS?
23:33 Can It Be Treated with Medication?
25:15 Not Every Woman Has to Be a Mother: Psychological Therapy Should Never Be Overlooked!
26:38 Outro: Is It an Inborn Destiny?

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📽️ Videography & Post-Production: Çınar Ege Bakırcı

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