Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects about 12% of women of reproductive age. This number has doubled over the past three decades, yet many women don’t realize they have it. In fact, as many as 70% of affected women worldwide may be undiagnosed. That’s millions of women who don’t realize they have PCOS.
That’s partly because PCOS doesn’t look exactly the same in everyone, and its symptoms can easily be mistaken for other health concerns. (You may have heard PCOS referred to as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. It’s the same issue.)
At Southwest Florida Women’s Group in Naples, Florida, our team helps women get answers about their symptoms and find treatments that fit their health needs and goals.
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with PCOS, one of your first questions may be: Can it be cured? Read on to learn more.
PCOS is a hormonal and metabolic condition that changes how your ovaries function. Women with PCOS may produce higher-than-normal levels of androgens. Androgens are hormones that are present in everyone but typically occur at lower levels in women.
PCOS is also commonly associated with insulin resistance, which means your body’s cells don’t respond to insulin as effectively as they should.
These changes can interfere with normal ovulation and cause a wide range of symptoms, including:
Despite its name, you don’t have to have ovarian cysts to have PCOS.
Currently, there’s no cure for PCOS, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about it.
PCOS is a chronic condition that can be successfully managed. Your treatment focuses on controlling the symptoms affecting you now while also reducing some of the long-term health risks associated with the condition.
PCOS affects every woman differently, so there isn’t one treatment plan that works for everyone. Your treatment may involve a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.
If you’re not trying to become pregnant, hormonal birth control may help regulate your menstrual cycle while improving symptoms such as acne and excess hair growth.
Regular periods are about more than convenience. Going long stretches without a period can allow the uterine lining to become too thick, which then increases your risk of endometrial problems and abnormal bleeding.
Insulin resistance is common in PCOS and can make weight management more difficult while increasing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Nutrition, regular physical activity, and weight management can improve your body’s response to insulin. For some women, we may also recommend medication such as metformin to improve insulin sensitivity.
Even modest weight loss may improve menstrual regularity and ovulation in women who are overweight.
PCOS is a common cause of infertility because it can interfere with regular ovulation, but having PCOS doesn’t mean you can’t become pregnant.
If pregnancy is your goal, your treatment may focus on restoring or stimulating ovulation. We can discuss fertility treatments based on your individual circumstances.
PCOS-related androgen levels can contribute to acne and excess facial or body hair. Hormonal contraceptives and certain anti-androgen medications may help.
Cosmetic treatments such as laser hair removal can also address unwanted hair while your medical treatment works on the underlying hormonal component.
It’s easy to think of PCOS as a menstrual or fertility problem, but its effects can extend well beyond your reproductive health.
Women with PCOS have an increased risk of developing health problems such as:
That doesn’t mean you’ll develop these conditions. That said, regular visits give us an opportunity to monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, menstrual health, and other risk factors as your needs change.
There’s no single test that diagnoses PCOS. Instead, we review your symptoms and medical history and may recommend bloodwork, a pelvic ultrasound, or other tests while ruling out conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
While PCOS doesn’t currently have a cure, the right treatment can make its symptoms much more manageable.
If you’re concerned about PCOS or already have a diagnosis and need help managing your symptoms, call 239-593-0990 or message us today.