The acronym PCOS to some may sound like the name of a new software or secret government program, but for many women, it's a serious part of their daily lives.

PCOS is not a government program by any means, it stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

As the name would imply, the syndrome does involve cystic ovaries but not in all cases.

PCOS has a few main features: cysts in their ovaries, elevated testosterone levels and/or excessive hair growth or irregular or no periods. In order to be diagnosed, women only need two of the three criteria. Other symptoms include obesity, acne, and hair loss, although not all women experience these.

A lot of these symptoms can cause not only physical but emotional distress for women, especially those who have trouble losing weight.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is also the most common cause of infertility.

In addition to infertility, PCOS increases risks for many other health issues. More than half of women with the syndrome become pre-diabetic or diabetic by age 40. Additionally, women with PCOS have increased risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, and endometrial cancer.

PCOS is not necessarily exclusive to females of any age, it is mostly diagnosed in women's 20s or 30s. Recently though, many pre-teen and teenage girls (even as young eleven) have been getting diagnosed on a more regular basis.

According to the National Health Institute, PCOS is estimated to affect five million women in the United States alone. Worldwide it is estimated that 8% to 20% of reproductive age women are affected by the syndrome.

At the current date, there is no cure for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

After hearing all these facts, you ask, if so many women have the disease, it's the biggest cause of infertility, and there is no cure, why haven't I heard of it?

For one thing more than 50% of women with PCOS are left undiagnosed. It can be hard to diagnose PCOS, especially when some do not understand it.

PCOS diagnosis can require a pelvic exam, blood tests, a pelvic ultrasound, and/or a physical exam. It's also a multifaceted syndrome with many symptoms.

The second issue is for the percentage that is diagnosed, studies show almost half of women with PCOS had to visit three or more doctors before being diagnosed.

That's a lot of women being left in the dark about their reproductive health. It's a lot of women who deserve better education about their health. It's a lot of women who want and deserve an explanation.

PCOS is not something to leave anyone in the dark about, it's an important issue about which we should be educating women and doctors alike. When millions of women are dealing with symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, we shouldn't live in a world where people are more likely to think it's a government program or name of a space ship than a serious women's health issue.