Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can develop any time during women’s reproductive years, including in young adolescents who recently started menstruating. At any age, PCOS causes abnormal menstrual periods and may lead to infertility and weight gain. Victoria Mills, DO, at Mills Obstetrics & Gynecology, helps women of all ages, working with each one to create a customized treatment that addresses their symptoms and prevents complications. To learn more about PCOS or to schedule an appointment, use the online booking feature or call the office in Oklahoma City.
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.
If you have PCOS, you’ll have at least two of these three key symptoms:
Hirsutism is the most common sign of high androgens, affecting about 70% of women with PCOS.
Hormone imbalances can disrupt many systems throughout your body and cause problems such as:
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.
PCOS leads to weight gain in more than half of all women who develop the condition.
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 is diagnosed when you have three of the following five conditions:
Type 2 diabetes, excess weight, and the conditions associated with metabolic syndrome raise your risk for cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.
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.