Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS affects 1 in 10 women in America. Though the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, it occurs when the intricate process of a women’s reproductive cycle is disrupted by abnormal hormonal fluctuations. Ovulation is either interrupted entirely or occurs less frequently.
Women with PCOS produce an excess of insulin which in turn contributes to excess androgen production (the male sex hormone) and an abnormally high ratio of other hormones produced by the ovaries. The most common results are irregular or absent menstrual bleeding, excess hair growth and infertility.
Signs and Symptoms
- Irregular or no menstrual periods
- Infertility
- Unwanted or excessive hair growth
- Elevated insulin levels
- Obesity, weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Type 2 diabetes
- Enlarged ovaries with multiple cysts
- Elevated levels of male sex hormones called androgens
Diagnosis and Treatment
Pearl Women’s Center practitioners are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Diagnosis will be based on a thorough medical history, physical exam and laboratory tests, sometimes supplemented by an ultrasound exam onsite at our center.
As always, treatment strategies at Pearl Women’s Center are carefully tailored to the individual circumstances of each patient but may include:
- Hormones or birth control pills to bring on regular menstrual bleeding
- Medication to slow body hair growth
- Medications to stimulate ovulation for women wishing to become pregnant
- Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to improve the body’s use of insulin and help relieve symptoms
- Surgery
Complications
Women with PCOS are at increased risk for developing serious medical problems. Early diagnosis and treatment may help reduce the risk of:
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Endometrial Cancer
