PCOS Specialist

What is PCOS?

PCOS refers to a group of symptoms that arise from imbalances in hormones -- primarily in insulin and in androgens, such as testosterone. High blood levels of insulin trigger excessive production of androgens, then abnormally high levels of androgens interfere with the normal development of follicles in your ovaries. As a result, your ovaries stop releasing eggs and cysts develop.

What symptoms develop due to PCOS?

Women with PCOS develop at least two of the following key symptoms:

• Abnormal menstrual bleeding (irregular periods, no periods, or heavy bleeding)
• Ovarian cysts (may cause pelvic pain or aching)
• Signs of excessive androgens (acne, balding, excessive hair growth on your face, chest, or thighs)

Excessive hair growth, called hirsutism, affects about 70% of women with PCOS and is the most common sign of high androgens.

What health risks develop due to PCOS?

About 40% of women with PCOS develop insulin resistance. When you have insulin resistance, your body can’t use insulin to get excess sugar out of your bloodstream, and you end up with chronically high blood sugar.

Ongoing hormonal imbalances disrupt many body systems, increasing your risk of serious health problems such as:

• Infertility (PCOS is a top cause of infertility)
• Overweight (more than half of women with PCOS gain weight)
• Type 2 diabetes (develops due to insulin resistance)
• Metabolic syndrome (increases your risk of cardiovascular disease)

Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions, including high blood sugar, hypertension, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and a waist larger than 35 inches (in women).

How is PCOS treated?

The team at The Ob-Gyn Center takes a whole-person approach to treating PCOS, creating customized plans with lifestyle and medical options. Losing weight reduces PCOS symptoms, so if you’re overweight, your treatment may include nutritional guidance and a metabolic diet.

Metabolic diets help you burn more fat by reducing your carbohydrate consumption. Normally, your body prefers to use carbs for energy, but without carbs, it turns to releasing stored fats and metabolizing them for energy.

Your doctor may prescribe one of many possible medications that help restore ovulation, regulate your menstrual cycle, and reduce hirsutism. Hormonal birth control methods may also restore menstrual periods, treat acne, and stop unwanted hair growth.

You may also benefit from a medication called metformin which is used to treat diabetes. Metformin makes your body more sensitive to insulin, which lowers insulin levels. As a result, it can increase ovulation and help you lose weight, and it may prevent Type 2 diabetes.

Your doctor may recommend surgical intervention if you don’t respond to lifestyle or medical options. One type of surgery, laparoscopic ovarian drilling, destroys a small part of the ovary, which lowers androgen levels and may improve ovulation.

If you notice excessive hair growth or you have irregular periods or other symptoms, call The Ob-Gyn Center or schedule an appointment using the online booking tool.