One in 10 women are affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but a majority of women who have it are unaware and undiagnosed.
One in 10 women are affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but a majority of those who have it are unaware and undiagnosed. Some PCOS symptoms may seem like signs of aging or a normal aspect of being a woman, such as unwelcomed hair or acne, difficulty shedding pounds or irregular periods. However, PCOS is a health condition that can alter your hormonal balance, fertility, and overall well-being.
Learn more about this common condition, its symptoms, and what treatment options are available.
What Is PCOS?
PCOS is a common health condition caused by a hormonal imbalance. With PCOS, your ovaries overproduce androgens (male sex hormones) in relation to estrogens (female sex hormones). While all people have some androgens and some estrogens in their bodies, producing extra androgens can impact ovulation and cause PCOS symptoms. The ovaries don’t ovulate as often, and the resulting ovary cysts can be seen on ultrasound.
What Are the PCOS Symptoms?
According to the Office of Women’s Health, PCOS can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:
- Irregular periods, missed periods, or very light periods
- Thinning hair or male-pattern baldness
- Unwanted hair growth, such as excessive hair on the face, chin, chest, stomach, or back
- Acne or oily skin
- Dark patches of skin on the back of the neck, in the armpits, and under the breasts
- Skin tags or small pieces of extra skin on the neck or armpits
- Weight gain or trouble losing weight
- Difficulty getting pregnant
How Can PCOS Affect My Health?
PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. In addition, the Office of Women’s Health indicated that women with PCOS may be at increased risk for a number of other complications, including:
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Depression and anxiety
- Endometrial cancer
How Is PCOS Diagnosed?
There is no single test to diagnose PCOS. As a result, a diagnosis comes from a collection of information and a series of exams. To have a PCOS diagnosis, the Office of Women’s Health said you must have at least two out of the following three indicators:
- Irregular periods
- Symptoms of high androgen levels
- Multiple cysts on one or both ovaries
To make this diagnosis, your health care provider will talk to you about your symptoms, overall health, and medical history. From there, you may receive the following exams:
- Physical exam–A physical exam may be used to measure your blood pressure, check your body mass index, look closely at your skin for extra hair, hair loss, acne, or other health conditions.
- Pelvic exam–A pelvic exam enables your provider to check for signs of extra male sex hormones or to see if your ovaries are enlarged or swollen.
- Pelvic ultrasound–An ultrasound can examine your ovaries for cysts.
- Blood test–A blood test can check your androgen hormone levels and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms like thyroid disease.
Early diagnosis and treatment can improve your symptoms and reduce your risk for long-term complications from PCOS.
What Treatments Are Available for PCOS?
There is no cure for PCOS, but you can manage your symptoms with an effective treatment plan based on your unique needs. Your treatment plan depends on a number of factors, including your age, the severity of your symptoms, your overall health, and whether or not you want to become pregnant in the future. According to John Hopkins Medicine, many women use a combination of medications and lifestyle changes to manage their PCOS, including:
- Weight loss–Losing weight through healthy eating and regular activity can help relieve PCOS-related symptoms. A healthy body weight may lower your glucose levels, improve the way your body uses insulin and help your hormones reach normal levels. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), even a 5% loss of initial body weight can result in significant improvements in metabolic and hormonal balance.
- Regular activity–Evidence shows that regular activity helps with weight loss and improves ovulation and insulin resistance.
- Medications–Medications can be used to treat several symptoms of PCOS, including:
- Medication to cause ovulation and help the ovaries release eggs normally
- Hormonal birth control (a first-line treatment)
- Anti-androgen medication
- Diabetes medication
- Medication for slowing the growth of new hair in unwanted places
- Cosmetic treatments–Some women may choose to use hair removal creams or get laser treatment to remove unwanted hair.
What Resources Are Available?
With PCOS affecting 10% of women, it’s important to become informed about this common health condition. The following sites provide additional information about PCOS:
- Office on Women’s Health–Find more information about symptoms, treatments, pregnancy with PCOS and much more.
- MedlinePlus–Check out additional information and resources related to PCOS.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention –Learn more about the connection between PCOS and diabetes.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)–Learn more about the steps you can take to manage PCOS, as well as the services offered by VA to treat a wide range of symptoms related to PCOS, including:
- Gynecologic evaluations
- Infertility treatment
- Pre-conception care and maternity care
- Weight management through the MOVE! Weight Management Program
- Healthy eating support through the Healthy Teaching Kitchen Program
- Mental health care treatment
Arm yourself with knowledge on the important issues impacting women’s health and talk to your health care provider if you are concerned about symptoms related to PCOS.