PCOS - Renewal Center

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS typically present with symptoms related to irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries.

Key features of PCOS include:

• Irregular or absent menstrual cycles - Women with PCOS often have oligomenorrhea (cycles >35 days) or amenorrhea (absent periods). This stems from ovulatory dysfunction.
• Hyperandrogenism - Many women with PCOS have elevated male hormones like testosterone. This can cause acne, hirsutism (excess hair growth), and occasionally virilization.
• Polycystic ovarian morphology - Enlarged ovaries with multiple small follicle cysts are often seen on ultrasound in PCOS. However, this finding alone does not confirm the diagnosis.

So what causes PCOS? Well, the exact etiology is unclear but it likely involves a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors that influence hormonal regulation. Insulin resistance also plays a key pathophysiologic role.

Diagnosing PCOS requires at least 2 of the following 3 criteria, according to the Rotterdam criteria:

1. Oligoovulation and/or anovulation
2. Clinical hyperandrogenism and/or biochemical signs
3. Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound

What are the health implications of PCOS? Beyond bothersome symptoms like acne and abnormal menstrual bleeding, PCOS confers an increased lifelong risk of:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Cardiovascular disease
• Endometrial hyperplasia/cancer

So screening and early intervention for these long-term risks is recommended. First-line treatment focuses on lifestyle modifications like weight loss, diet, and exercise. Many patients also benefit from hormonal medications like combination oral contraceptives or metformin.

If irregular cycles, hyperandrogenism, or other PCOS-related issues like infertility are significantly impacting one's quality of life, consulting reproductive endocrinologists like those at Renewal Center is advised. Their team of compassionate experts specializes in the nuanced diagnoses and multi-modal treatment of PCOS through both medication and holistic approaches.

I hope this overview on PCOS was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions. Wishing you the very best in health and wellbeing on your journey.