PCOS - WatsonsHealth

PCOS

Overview & Facts

PCOS, a short term for polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a common cause of female infertility. This kind of condition mostly affects a woman’s hormone levels.

Higher than normal male hormones can cause imbalance that will result to irregular menstrual periods in women and it may become hard for them to get pregnant. PCOS also causes excess hair growth over the face and body. This condition can contribute to long-term health problems like diabetes and heart disease.

Your doctor may advise you to take birth control pills and some diabetic drugs to help fix hormonal imbalance and improve ovary functioning.

Types & Symptoms

The two main types of PCOS are insulin-resistant and non- insulin-resistant PCOS.

Insulin resistant PCOS creates weight gain, facial hair, baldness and a greater potential for developing diabetes.

Non- insulin resistant PCOS has treatment options that are more often natural. Patients are encouraged to avoid dairy products and take supplements like iodine, Vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc, together with some herbal formulas to decrease testosterone levels.

 

The common symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome are the following:

  • Irregular periods
  • Experiencing no menstrual period at all
  • Excessive hair growth all over the body especially on face
  • Oily skin
  • Difficulty in getting pregnant

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor will ask about the symptoms you’ve been experiencing like irregular menstrual cycles and hair growth over face and body.

He/she will do a pelvic exam to look for any problems within your ovaries and other parts of your reproductive system. The doctor may also request blood for testing and do an ultrasound.

 

MEDICATIONS/TREATMENT

The doctor will give you advice on how to take some birth control pills or hair removal can be suggested. You will also be given medicines that can help regulate your menstrual period and can treat other PCOS symptoms. If these treatments will not work, surgery is the best option to improve fertility and help restore your normal ovulation cycles.

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