What is PCOS?
Women normally produce a small number of androgens, which are male hormones like testosterone. PCOS develops when you produce too much androgen. High levels of androgens affect your ovaries, so ovulation (release of an egg) becomes irregular or stops altogether.
What symptoms will I develop if I have PCOS?
If you have PCOS, you’ll have at least two of these three key symptoms:
- Abnormal menstruation: you may stop having periods or have irregular, longer, or heavier menstrual periods
- Ovarian cysts: multiple fluid-filled cysts may cause pelvic pain
- Signs of excessive androgens: hirsutism (dark, coarse hair on your face and body), acne, and male-pattern baldness
Hirsutism is the most common sign of high androgens, affecting about 70% of women with PCOS.
Does PCOS increase my risk for other health problems?
Hormone imbalances can disrupt many systems throughout your body and cause problems such as:
Infertility
When you have PCOS, your ovaries either stop ovulating or randomly release eggs. As a result, PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility.
Overweight
PCOS leads to weight gain in more than half of all women who develop the condition.
Insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes
About 40% of women with PCOS develop insulin resistance, whether they gain weight or not. When your body can’t use insulin properly, blood sugar increases, eventually leading to full-blown Type 2 diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when you have three of the following five conditions:
- High blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Waist circumference greater than 35 inches in women and 40 inches in men
Type 2 diabetes, excess weight, and the conditions associated with metabolic syndrome raise your risk for cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.
What is the treatment for PCOS?
Treatment for PCOS takes a whole-person approach that combines lifestyle and medical recommendations, individually designed to meet your health needs.
Dr. Mills provides dietary guidance to manage problems like diabetes, excess weight, high cholesterol, and hypertension. She may also prescribe one of the many possible medications available to help you ovulate, regulate your menstrual cycle, and reduce excessive hair growth.
If you have irregular periods, signs of hirsutism, or any other questions about your health, call Mills Obstetrics & Gynecology or book an appointment online.
