More than Polycystic Ovaries?

PCOS: Just Polycystic Ovaries?

Every day doctors and researches are learning more about PCOS.  At one point it was thought that the main symptom of PCOS was polycystic ovaries, but research has found that almost 30% of the women who suffer from PCOS do not actually have polycystic ovaries.  Many other symptoms are now used in the identification of PCOS.  These symptoms include irregular menstrual cycles, excessive androgen production, and insulin resistance.  Doctors have yet to establish one defining test to diagnose PCOS, so research continues to be conducted.  In the meantime, women who suffer from PCOS must look for ways to treat the symptoms of the illness. 

What are your options?

First, you need to have a serious conversation with your doctor about the severity of your PCOS.  Once you understand what you are dealing with, it becomes easier to set realistic treatment goals.  Coping with PCOS may involve trying a variety of different medications and forms of treatment.  Since one of the biggest issues associated with PCOS is irregular menstrual cycles, your doctor may first want to prescribe something to regulate your menstrual cycle. In most cases this will be in the form of low-dose birth control pills. 

For those who are trying to get pregnant, the problem of polycystic ovaries presents a bigger issue.  Medications that help women to ovulate are available, and depending on the severity of your PCOS, your doctor may choose to prescribe one of these medications for you.  Excessive hair growth is another common symptom of PCOS that many women are very uncomfortable with.  Birth control pills can also help to reduce the production of androgen, which can in turn reduce the excessive hair growth that is often experienced by PCOS sufferers.   There are also medications available that block the effect of androgens on the skin; it is essential to use effective birth control with these kinds of medications though because they can cause severe birth defects.

There are also certain lifestyle changes that can make PCOS easier to deal with.  The most important one is losing excess weight.  Insulin resistance is directly related to PCOS, and those who suffer from obesity are more likely to have issues with insulin resistance.  A low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet is ideal to help keep insulin levels in check.  Adding complex carbohydrates that are high in fiber are a good addition to the diet for women that suffer from PCOS.  High fiber foods are digested slower, and cause blood sugars to rise at a slower level.

Dealing with polycystic ovaries can present a number of challenges, but doing your research and keeping a positive attitude can help you find treatments that work for you.  By staying active and watching what you eat, you can do tons to reduce the severity of your symptoms.  Work along with your doctor to see if medications are effective in helping to treat your PCOS.  It is also very important to remember that polycystic ovaries do not spell the end of your life; they just mean that you will need to put forth a bit more effort to live your life to the fullest as you work towards overcoming PCOS.