TILII TOPICS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
What is polycystic ovarian syndrome?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is a relatively common condition occurring in women who overproduce hormones called androgens, and it’s one of the most common causes of infertility among women.
Too much androgen causes tiny, fluid-filled cysts to form in the ovaries and prevents eggs from being released, making it difficult to become pregnant. PCOS can also cause other symptoms and side effects, including:
- acne
- missed or irregular periods
- abnormal male-pattern hair growth on the face or body
- weight gain
- depression or mood swings
PCOS is often associated with metabolic syndrome and also increase a woman’s chances of developing heart disease, sleep apnea, and diabetes.
How is PCOS diagnosed and treated?
Dr. Sodhi will diagnose PCOS after taking your complete medical history, in combination with a physical exam, in-office ultrasound and in office blood draws to check for increased levels of specific hormones or insulin resistance, which often occurs in women with PCOS. Once PCOS is diagnosed, she may also screen you for diabetes, heart disease or uterine cancer.
Dr. Sodhi builds a full profile of your health before recommending care, instead of just paying attention to current symptoms. This is especially important when you might have a condition like PCOS because it presents differently in different patients. Therefore corrective regimens will not be as standardized as for other medical disorders. Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome is individualized to treat signs & symptoms; these include:
- Irregular uterine bleeding
- Infertility
- Skin concerns (i.e. acne, excessive hair, oily skin)
- Diabetes
- Obesity with generally more weight being carried around the belly or midsection; “apple-shape”
Weight loss, patient-led diet and exercise or preferably with the Ideal Protein treatment protocol is the number one suggested treatment mechanism as most women with PCOS are overweight and even a modest weight loss in normal weight women can lead to dramatic improvement in ovarian function. Dramatic improvements in health have been seen with this protocol and Dr. Sodhi is an avid supporter of its use for women with PCOS.
If periods are very irregular, hormonal medication containing progesterone may be prescribed to help protect your uterine lining from abnormal overgrowth that occurs with skipped periods.
PCOS has many cosmetic concerns that may negatively impact self-esteem; mental and social health are important parts of your overall health. While many doctors neglect “cosmetic” appearance, Dr. Sodhi knows that looking good can translate into feeling good! Because PCOS is so prevalent in our patient population, and hirsutism is strongly associated with PCOS, we offer in-office laser hair removal to alleviate the discomfort of ingrowns, folliculitis, and excessive facial and body hair in girls and women with PCOS. Every woman deserves to feel great in her own skin.