Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal disorder

PCOS is caused by abnormally high levels of male hormones known as androgens. Digging deeper we find that this hormone imbalance is linked to another imbalance in the body: excess insulin, the hormone responsible for blood sugar regulation, interacts with the ovaries and causes them to produce an excess of testosterone. The result? Myriad unpleasant symptoms including:

• Cysts
• Irregular periods
• Facial hair
• Weight gain
• Acne
• Baldness

Furthermore, many women with PCOS are at risk for developing prediabetes and diabetes.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: what we can do about it

Unfortunately there is no cure for PCOS-instead we focus on managing symptoms and reducing their impact on your life. To the best of our ability we use medication and manage lifestyle factors to reduce your likelihood for infertility and diabetes. Birth control pills are effective for regulating hormones and menstrual cycles, while other treatments can help with the regulation of blood glucose levels while simultaneously lowering testosterone production.

Diagnosing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

This is not a straightforward diagnosis; instead, we perform blood tests to measure hormone levels, and work on eliminating the possibility for other conditions that are similar to PCOS. Furthermore, we will use ultrasound to scan for growths in the reproductive organs. If you are suffering from symptoms that sound similar to PCOS, it is worth calling our office and starting the conversation today. In our opinion, it is always better to have all the facts in your hands and to know that there are steps you can take to live more comfortably with your condition.