Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that disrupts women’s hormone production, menstruation, and ovulatory cycles. It can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including obesity, acne, unwanted hair growth, menstrual disruption, enlarged ovaries, insulin resistance, and infertility.
PCOS affects up to 10% of women, but it certainly isn’t a death sentence. Knowledge is power, so read on to find out about five things every woman needs to know about PCOS.
PCOS Can Cause Infertility
PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility, but having this disorder does not mean that women cannot get pregnant. There are medications available to regulate menstruation and normalize hormone production, and for those who still can’t get pregnant, in vitro fertilization is always an option. PCOS doesn’t always cause infertility, either, so it’s important for couples trying to conceive to visit mcrmfertility.com to learn about different male and female factors contributing to infertility and how they can be treated.
There Are Different Types of PCOS
Not all cases of PCOS are the same. Research has found that there are three main types of PCOS. Patients with type I PCOS do not have hirsutism or elevated male hormones. Patients with type II PCOS have elevated testosterone levels but do not have hirsutism. Patients with type III PCOS have both hirsutism and elevated male hormone levels. A specialist can use hormone testing to determine which type of PCOS his or her patient has, which can help with the development of an appropriate treatment plan.
Researchers Have Identified Three Contributing Factors
Although researchers have not definitively determined the cause of PCOS, they believe there are three factors that may contribute to a woman’s risk of developing this common disorder. They are genetics, levels of male hormones known as androgens, and insulin resistance. There is little that can be done about genetics, but women can avoid insulin resistance by eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercises, and maintaining a healthy weight. They can treat high androgen levels with hormone therapy.
Untreated PCOS Can Cause Other Health Complications
Without treatment, PCOS can cause more than just female infertility. It may also contribute to diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, and even endometrial cancer. That’s why it’s so important for women who believe they might have PCOS to seek specialized care, whether they plan on getting pregnant or not.
PCOS Symptoms Can Be Managed
While it’s not always possible to cure PCOS, just about everyone who suffers from this disorder can manage her symptoms using a combination of lifestyle changes, hormone interventions, and medication. Women planning to become pregnant should make sure to let their doctors know because some medical treatments, including prescription birth control and anti-androgen medications, can interfere with fertility.
The Bottom Line
PCOS is a common, treatable disorder. Women who are suffering from the symptoms of PCOS should make appointments with their doctors as soon as possible to rule out other explanations and get a definitive diagnosis. Those who are having difficulty conceiving due to PCOS should work with a fertility specialist. Plan on trying medication interventions first and if those don’t work, consider in vitro fertilization. This procedure, which involves implanting a fertilized egg directly into a woman’s uterus, has a long history of success in patients with all three types of PCOS.
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