PCOS - Optimal Hormone Health Clinic

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a common hormonal disorder that affects women during their reproductive years. It is estimated that 1 in 10 women have PCOS. The main signs and symptoms of PCOS include:

• Irregular menstrual cycles - This means having infrequent, irregular or prolonged menstrual periods. Some women with PCOS experience very heavy bleeding during their period.
• Excess androgens - Women with PCOS tend to have higher levels of androgens like testosterone. This can cause symptoms such as excess facial and body hair growth, acne, and male-pattern baldness.
• Polycystic ovaries - PCOS causes the ovaries to become enlarged and develop numerous small follicles that form around the eggs. This gives the ovaries a polycystic appearance on ultrasound examinations. However, some women don't have cysts.

What Causes PCOS?

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but it likely involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some theories of what contributes to PCOS include:

• Insulin resistance - Many women with PCOS are resistant to the hormone insulin and produce higher levels of insulin to overcome this resistance. The excess insulin can stimulate the ovaries to produce more male hormones like testosterone. Losing weight and lowering insulin levels can help in managing PCOS symptoms.
• Low-grade inflammation - Some research shows that women with PCOS have chronic low-grade inflammation, which can stimulate excess androgen production and disturb ovulation.
• Heredity - Researchers believe that some gene mutations passed through families can increase the risk of developing PCOS. Daughters of women with PCOS have an elevated risk of also having PCOS.

Diagnosing PCOS

There's no single test to diagnose PCOS. The diagnosis is usually based on a woman's signs and symptoms, medical history (including if other female relatives have PCOS), physical exam, and blood tests to measure hormone levels. Pelvic ultrasounds may also be done to examine the ovaries.

Treating PCOS

While there's no cure yet for PCOS, symptoms can be managed with lifestyle changes and medications:

• Losing weight through diet changes and exercise can help lower insulin and androgen levels in obese women and regulate menstrual cycles. Even a loss of 5% body weight can make a difference.
• Birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin can help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce male hormones like testosterone.
• Medications like metformin or insulin-sensitizing drugs can help lower insulin levels for women with insulin resistance or diabetes. These can also help restore ovulation and fertility.

The treatment approach depends on the patient's desire for pregnancy and controlling specific signs and symptoms. So PCOS treatment needs to be tailored for every woman. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and working closely with your doctor can help manage PCOS.