Understanding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
If you are coping with symptoms such as irregular menstrual periods or excess hair growth on your face and body, you are probably looking for answers. Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, causes all these symptoms, and our San Antonio OBGYNs are experts at diagnosing and treating the condition.
PCOS causes and risk factors
Physicians and researchers haven’t figured out precisely what causes PCOS, but they believe that insulin resistance, which can lead to elevated insulin levels and higher levels of androgens, or male hormones, may play a role. Genetic factors, the environment and inflammation may also be factors. If you have a sister or a mother with PCOS, you may have a higher risk of developing the condition.
While we don’t know the exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome, we do know that having the condition raises your risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, anxiety and depression.
Irregular menstrual periods are one of the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome
PCOS symptoms cause a lot of anxiety, discomfort and pain for many women. If you experience any of the following signs, you may have PCOS.
- Menstrual problems, including irregular menstrual periods or lack of periods
- Hirsutism, or increased hair growth on your face, chest, back, stomach, or even your thumbs or toes
- Losing hair
- Moderate to severe acne
- Weight gain or obesity
- Black or dark brown, thickened patches of skin
- Pelvic pain
- Fertility issues
While we don’t know what causes the condition, we do know how to diagnose and treat it. Among the first things our San Antonio OBGYNs may recommend are lifestyle changes to help alleviate some of your PCOS symptoms.
- Develop a balanced diet and participate in regular exercise to get to and maintain a healthy weight.
- Try laser hair removal, electrolysis or facial creams to remove excess hair.
- Use a prescription skin treatment called eflornithine HCl cream to help slow down excess hair growth.
Our experienced San Antonio OBGYNs provide skilled diagnosis and treatment
Since there isn’t one test to determine whether you have PCOS, you need to seek out an experienced physician for a diagnosis. We use a variety of methods to diagnose PCOS, starting with a physical and pelvic exam. After our physicians complete their examination and determine that you have at least two of the symptoms of PCOS, they may order a pelvic ultrasound or blood tests to check your hormone, insulin or cholesterol levels.
Our San Antonio OBGYNs develop individualized treatment plans for each patient. Treatments include both lifestyle changes and medications. Our physicians may recommend combination birth control bills to help you with symptoms such as excess hair growth, acne and irregular menstrual periods, or Metformin for your ovulation problems and insulin resistance.
If you are struggling with the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, contact us to make an appointment with our highly trained physicians.
