PCOS

What is PCOS?

PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is a common hormonal disorder that affects women. Some key facts about PCOS:

• It results from a hormonal imbalance in the body, where the ovaries produce more androgens like testosterone than normal


• It typically leads to irregular or missed menstrual cycles, along with symptoms like excess hair growth, acne, and sometimes obesity


• It often causes tiny cysts to form on the ovaries, leading to the “polycystic ovary” name

Diagnosing PCOS

Doctors diagnose PCOS based on a woman's symptoms, physical exam findings, and blood tests:

• They look for signs like irregular cycles, cysts on an ultrasound, and high androgen hormone levels


• Making the right diagnosis involves ruling out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms

Once diagnosed, steps can be taken to manage PCOS and alleviate troublesome symptoms.

Treating PCOS

There are a few components to managing PCOS:

• Lifestyle changes like eating healthy, exercising, and losing weight if overweight can make the biggest difference in regulating menstrual cycles and hormone levels


• Birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin can help regulate cycles and treat other related symptoms


• Medications like metformin or anti-androgens may be used to lower androgen levels in some cases

In addition, Renewal Hormone Center specializes in holistic and personalized care for hormone issues like PCOS. Their experts can provide advanced testing to get to the root hormonal imbalances driving PCOS. This allows them to create fully customized treatment plans involving lifestyle coaching, nutraceuticals, and bioidentical hormones to relieve symptoms and regulate menstrual cycles.

Long-term Outlook

With the right PCOS treatment plan, many women can manage symptoms and improve related issues over time. However, PCOS requires long-term management as it can affect fertility and metabolism throughout life. Getting an accurate diagnosis and following through with treatment is key. Reach out to a specialist like Renewal Hormone Center if struggling with potential PCOS symptoms.