Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Treatment in Chula Vista

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder affecting women of childbearing age, resulting in hormonal imbalance and metabolism issues.

The most common symptom of PCOS is irregular periods. If you have PCOS, you may experience infrequent or prolonged menstrual cycles. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs. The egg may not develop as it should or it may not be released during ovulation.

Women with PCOS may have excess male hormone (androgen) levels that impact their everyday life. The hormonal imbalance creates a problem and can make it difficult to get pregnant.

PCOS is a fairly common reason for infertility, affecting one in ten women of childbearing age. The good news is that PCOS is treatable, and with the right care you can get your hormones back in balance. The expertly trained OBGYNs at South Bay OBGYN have extensive experience diagnosing and treating PCOS. Call (619) 267-8313 to request an appointment at our OBGYN clinic today.

How Will I Know if I have PCOS?

PCOS is usually discovered around the time women start menstruating, but it can also be diagnosed later on. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown but genetics, hormones, obesity, or insulin may all be contributing factors.

Women with PCOS often have the following symptoms:

• Irregular periods – Women may miss periods or have very few periods. The opposite can also be true, where women have a period every 21 days or even more often.
• Excess hair or acne– This can be due to the high amount of androgen hormones. These are sometimes called male hormones, but women have a small amount of androgen levels as well. However, high levels of this hormone can cause excess hair or acne and be a sign of PCOS.
• Weight issues –Women with PCOS may struggle with weight gain or have difficulty losing weight.
• Thinning hair on scalp – Some women report male-pattern baldness.
  Darkening of skin or skin tags – Dark areas of skin around the neck, breasts, or groin area may be a sign of PCOS, as well as excess flaps of skin or tags.

What Treatment is Available for PCOS?

For women with PCOS, there are several treatment options available. It can be frustrating to have irregular menstrual cycles, and the effects of excess androgen hormones can impact your confidence and daily life.

If you have PCOS, your provider may suggest:

Hormonal birth control
If you do not want to get pregnant, birth control can help regulate your menstrual cycle and help improve acne and reduce extra hair on the face and body. Birth control can include the pill, patch, shot, vaginal ring, or a hormone intrauterine device (IUD). Your doctor can help determine which form is right for you.

Anti-androgen medicine
Your doctor can prescribe medicine to help block the effect of androgens. This is helpful to reduce excess hair growth, acne, and scalp hair loss.

Type 2 Diabetes medication
If you have PCOS, sometimes your body has issues with insulin and regulating your blood sugar. The medicine metformin is often used to treat type 2 diabetes and may help with PCOS symptoms. It can help lower your blood sugar and may help you restart ovulation.

Ovulation medication
If you are trying to get pregnant but your ovulation is difficult to track, your doctor may prescribe clomiphene or medicine to help stimulate the ovaries. Your doctor will help you know which hormone medication is right for you.

Luckily, there are many paths to treat PCOS. There are a number of factors that impact your treatment plan such as age, ability to get pregnant, the severity of symptoms, your goals for your family planning, and what you feel comfortable with.

Many of the medications have a variety of options including pills, creams, or injections. Your doctor will help you establish a care plan to get your ovulation and your hormones back on track.

When Do I Need to Seek Help for PCOS?

If you are frustrated with your irregular periods or if you have noticed unwanted effects of excess androgen hormones, talk to your provider at South Bay OBGYN.

The earlier you discover your PCOS the sooner you can get the help you need. With your provider, you can make lifestyle changes or take medications to help improve your quality of life.