Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common problem that affects one in ten women during their childbearing years and is the leading cause of infertility in women in the United States. PCOS is also a highly treatable condition and Dr. Daniel B. Channell, gynecologist at the Channell Family Medical Group in Rancho Cucamonga, California, has considerable experience in dealing with PCOS and in reducing its often unpleasant symptoms.
PCOS is a condition where many small cysts form on or in your ovaries, which create an imbalance in your reproductive hormones. This imbalance can cause problems in the development and release of your eggs and the resulting cysts can be problematic and sometimes painful.
Doctors are still unsure as to what causes PCOS, but most believe that genetics play a key role. These genetics can lead to:
High levels of androgen
All women produce some level of androgen, known as the “male” hormone, in their systems, but women with PCOS have higher levels of androgen than estrogen.
High levels of insulin
Women with PCOS often have insulin resistance, which hampers their ability to turn food into energy.
Typically, the symptoms of PCOS tend to come on gradually, beginning when you first start menstruating. The symptoms may not be noticed for years, or they may be evident right from the start, so each case is different. However, there are common symptoms that signal PCOS, which are:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make an appointment with Dr. Channell for a diagnosis and treatment.
Treating PCOS often involves a combination of medical intervention to regulate your hormones and at-home measures you can take to curb the effects of the condition.
Because insulin resistance is commonly associated with PCOS, there is much you can do at-home to combat this resistance, such as:
Medically, there are several different treatments that can address the hormone imbalance, including:
Dr. Channell will go over the best treatment options for you.
