September is PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) Awareness Month and we are asking you to share your knowledge of PCOS. Together we can foster knowledge and increase sensitivity to those with the condition.
Around 7 million women in the U.S. alone are thought to have PCOS and less than 50% know they even have it!
What is PCOS?
In medical terms it is a variable disorder that is marked especially by:
- Absence of periods
- Facial hair growth
- Obesity
- Infertility
- Enlarged ovaries
- Elevated level of luteinizing hormone, androgen, or estrogen which results in an abnormal cycle of gonadotropin release by the pituitary gland
Simply put, it is a set of symptoms that is caused by elevated male hormones in females. The symptoms can include combinations of the following but not all symptoms may be present:
- Irregular or no menstrual periods
- Heavy periods
- Excess body and facial hair
- Acne
- Pelvic pain
- Dark patches on skin
- Sleep disturbances
An infertility diagnosis is based on two of the following three findings: no ovulation, high male hormone levels, and the presence of ovarian cysts, which can be detected by ultrasound.
Unfortunately there is no cure for PCOS. However, it IS treatable and manageable.
Here are some common questions with answers:
Can I still get pregnant if I have PCOS?
A diagnosis of PCOS does not necessarily mean that you are infertile. As mentioned, PCOS is treatable; many women with PCOS do get pregnant naturally or with the help of fertility treatments. Women with PCOS are, however, at higher risk for pregnancy and delivery complications.
These include:
- An increase in miscarriage risk in early pregnancy
- Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
- Preeclampsia (sudden elevated blood pressure)
- Premature babies
- Caesarian-section deliveries.
It is essential that potential PCOS is diagnosed, and the condition is properly managed during pregnancy for the safety of the mother and baby.
What medical treatments are available for PCOS?
In terms of available medical treatments to encourage pregnancy, drugs can be given to induce ovulation (e.g. clomiphene). Other treatments may involve hormonal injections (gonadotropins) and procedures.
Pregnancies aside, the symptoms of PCOS are very treatable. Medical treatments might include the following:
- Birth control pills to regulate periods and improve excess hair growth and acne by lowering androgen levels
- Drugs, other than birth control pills, that curb male hormone levels maybe another option, and can lead to significant improvements in androgen-related symptoms such as excess hair
- Topical medications can be used to deal with both excessive hair growth and acne
- Vitamins, supplements, and other complementary treatments are popular among women with PCOS, and researchers are currently studying the effectiveness of such treatments
What lifestyle modifications can help with the condition?
The main lifestyle modification that might be considered is body weight. It has been shown that lifestyle measures to achieve a weight loss of 5%-10% in overweight women can help regulate ovulation and periods.
Although this can be achieved with dietary changes, it can be more challenging to lose weight and maintain weight loss with PCOS, so it is best to seek the advice of a medical professional.
The issue of under-diagnosis
Clearly PCOS is a serious condition, and it is shocking that it under-diagnosis is such a problem. So public information, awareness of the symptoms is crucial to identify those in need of treatment.
One way in which women can determine if they are at risk of PCOS is to take a simple, two-minute online quiz. This indicates if they need to take further steps such as seeing a health care professional for further investigations.
Take the test here.
