PCOS - Renew Medical Center

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a common endocrine system disorder that affects approximately 5-10% of women of reproductive age. It is characterized by three main features:

• Hyperandrogenism - elevated male hormone (androgen) levels
• Ovarian dysfunction - irregular or absent ovulation due to polycystic ovaries
• Polycystic ovarian morphology - ovaries become enlarged with many small cysts along the outer edges

Some key signs and symptoms include:

• Irregular periods or no periods at all
• Infertility issues due to lack of ovulation
• Hirsutism - excessive body hair growth on face, chest, or back
• Acanthosis nigricans - dark, thick, velvety skin patches, usually found in armpits or neck
• Weight gain/difficulty losing weight
• Male pattern baldness or thinning hair
• Skin tags
• Skin discoloration like acne or dark patches on neck/armpits

Diagnosis is made based on your medical history, physical exam, blood tests (androgen levels), and pelvic ultrasound.

There is no cure yet, but symptoms can be managed through lifestyle changes and medications:

• Weight loss
• Healthy nutritious diet
• Exercise
• Stress management
• Birth control pills to regulate ovulation/periods
• Anti-androgens like spironolactone to reduce high male hormones
• Metformin to aid insulin resistance

If you're looking to get pregnant, other fertility medications can be used to induce ovulation.

Long term complications may include insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, fatty liver, heart disease and endometrial cancer. So early diagnosis and proactive treatment is key.

Managing PCOS takes some trial and error to find which lifestyle changes and medications provide the most relief. But many women are able to successfully treat their symptoms and lower their long term health risks.