PCOS Specialist

What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that’s fairly common in women of childbearing age. If you have PCOS, you may have infrequent menstrual periods, menstrual periods that last longer than usual, and excessive or higher than normal levels of the male hormone (androgen). Your ovaries may also develop numerous dysfunctional, fluid-filled sacs (cysts). PCOS is frequently the cause of female infertility. 

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

PCOS usually develops around the time of your first menstrual period but can also develop later in life and often in response to significant weight gain.

The symptoms often vary greatly from one woman to the next but typical issues that may indicate PCOS include:

• Irregular and infrequent periods (fewer than 9 a year), which is the most common symptom of PCOS
• Elevated levels of androgen (male hormone) resulting in excess facial and body hair (hirsutism), moderate to severe acne, and male-pattern baldness with a receding hairline
• Enlarged ovaries that contain numerous small cysts and fail to produce viable eggs regularly
• Difficulty becoming pregnant
  
  

Some patients may also experience weight fluctuations that lead to obesity or have difficulty losing weight.

What are the complications of PCOS?

Complications associated with untreated PCOS are often significant and can include:

• Diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy
• Miscarriage or premature birth
• Severe inflammation of the liver caused by fat accumulation
• Type 2 diabetes
• Sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders
  
  

Other complications include a cluster of conditions that can increase your risk of developing heart disease, known as metabolic syndrome, which typically includes high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Patients with PCOS may also have an increased risk of endometrial cancer (uterine lining) due to infrequent menstrual periods.

What is the treatment for PCOS?

Treatment for PCOS typically focuses on managing the symptoms and concerns that come along with it, such as infertility.

Your doctor may recommend medications such as combination birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin to decrease androgen production and regulate estrogen. This can help lower your risk of endometrial cancer and correct abnormal menstrual bleeding, excess hair growth, and acne breakouts. If you’re having difficulty getting pregnant, your doctor might also prescribe clomiphene (Clomid) to help you ovulate or letrozole (Femara) to stimulate your ovaries.

If you’d like detailed information about PCOS and which treatments might work for your symptoms, call Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, or request an appointment online today.