PCOS - Optimum Hormone Clinic

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects women during their reproductive years. An estimated 5-10% of women have PCOS.

Some key facts about PCOS:

• PCOS is characterized by hormonal imbalances and metabolism problems that affect a woman's ovaries and ovulation
• The most common symptoms are irregular periods, excess hair growth, and acne
• PCOS can also cause weight gain and problems getting pregnant
• The exact cause is unknown but likely involves genetics and environmental factors
• PCOS cannot be cured but symptoms can be managed with lifestyle changes and sometimes medications

What causes PCOS?

The exact mechanisms behind PCOS are not fully understood. However, it often runs in families and seems to have a genetic component. Environmental and lifestyle factors like poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity also play a role.

Some theories on what contributes to PCOS:

• Elevated androgens: Higher male hormones like testosterone, leading to symptoms like facial hair growth
• Insulin resistance: The body struggles to use insulin properly, which can disrupt ovulation
• Inflammation: Chronic inflammation affects the ovaries and hormone production

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

Symptoms of PCOS vary but often include:

• Irregular, infrequent, or prolonged menstrual periods: One of the most common PCOS symptoms
• Excess androgen levels: Leading to extra facial/body hair growth, adult acne, and thinning hair
• Polycystic ovaries: The ovaries can become enlarged with fluid-filled cysts that surround the eggs
• Obesity: Up to 80% of women with PCOS struggle with overweight and obesity
• Infertility issues: PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility

Some women may experience additional issues like skin tags, anxiety/depression, sleep apnea, and pelvic pain.

How is PCOS diagnosed and treated?

If PCOS is suspected, doctors will typically check for signs of excess male hormones, ovarian cysts, and related health issues. They may order blood tests, ultrasounds, or glucose tolerance tests.

There is no cure for PCOS, but many women find relief through lifestyle changes like:

• Losing weight if overweight or obese through diet, exercise, etc. Even small amounts of weight loss can help regulate menstrual cycles and ovulation.
• Following a PCOS-friendly diet low in refined carbs and sugar to help manage blood sugar and insulin levels
• Taking medications like birth control pills, fertility drugs, metformin, spironolactone to treat PCOS symptoms

In some cases, Optimum Hormone Clinic provides specialized care including bioidentical hormone therapy to help regulate periods, manage hair growth, aid fertility for patients with PCOS and other hormonal conditions. Their compassionate providers create customized treatment plans to address the root hormonal imbalances driving PCOS symptoms.

The key is finding an effective management plan to relieve symptoms and reduce long-term health risks related to diabetes, heart disease, and infertility.

While living with PCOS has its challenges, women with support networks and access to care can still lead normal, healthy lives pursuing their family planning goals. Being your own health advocate and finding the right treatment team makes all the difference!