PCOS: Not as uncommon as you think
When actress Keke Palmer revealed her pregnancy during her Saturday Night Live monologue on December 5, it may not have seemed like a big deal to many people. For women living with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), it felt like a victory.
“Congrats, Keke,” wrote one Instagram user. “Those of us in the PCOS community know how much of a blessing it is to get pregnant with PCOS!”
What is PCOS?
The Office on Women’s Health explains that PCOS is a common health condition, affecting one in ten women of childbearing age. The condition, named for small cysts that form in the ovaries, is caused by an imbalance of hormones. It affects ovulation and can cause irregular menstrual periods, making it difficult to get pregnant.
Leslie Underwood, MD, FACOG
Leslie Underwood, MD, FACOG, a physician with Lawrence OB-GYN Specialists, explained that the exact cause of the disease isn’t known.
“We aren’t sure why the hormone imbalance that causes PCOS occurs,” she said. “We tend to see PCOS run in families, but there hasn’t been a specific genetic marker identified.”
How do you know if you have PCOS?
While having irregular or missed menstrual cycles is the most common symptom, PCOS looks different for everyone. Symptoms may include:
- Elevated levels of male hormones (androgens)
- Excessive hair on the face, chin or body
- Acne
- Thinning scalp hair
- Weight gain/difficulty losing weight
- Insulin resistance
- Infertility
- Large ovaries or ovaries with numerous cysts
Dr. Underwood shared that there isn’t one single test to determine if you’ve got PCOS. Different variations of PCOS exist, making it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. Many of these symptoms are also indicative of other conditions, increasing the difficulty.
“Women often have a hard time voicing concerns to their provider,” Dr. Underwood explained. “With different variations of PCOS that exist and many of these symptoms being indicative of other conditions, it can be difficult to diagnose.”
Your doctor will talk with you about your medical history, perform a physical exam and discuss your menstrual cycle patterns. You may also undergo a pelvic exam, pelvic ultrasound or lab tests to confirm the diagnosis, but they aren’t always necessary.
How do you treat PCOS?
While there isn’t a cure for PCOS, its symptoms can be manageable. Talk with your doctor to determine the treatment plan that’s right for you.
“There isn’t a specific treatment for PCOS. We focus on treating the symptoms, which are different for everyone,” Dr. Underwood said. “There are medications we use to help with hair growth, insulin resistance, irregular cycles, acne and infertility. We personalize treatment based on each patient’s goals.”
Lifestyle changes may also be part of a treatment plan. These may include eating a healthier diet and adding more exercise, which may lead to weight loss and a reduction in symptoms.
I want to have a family. Is it possible with PCOS?
Though it’s one of the most common causes of infertility in women, having PCOS doesn’t mean that you can’t get pregnant.
“Ovulation is less predictable in women who have PCOS, which makes it harder to find the fertility window in their cycle,” Dr. Underwood said. “We find that they tend to respond very well to ovulation induction medications, such as clomid and femara, which are inexpensive and have low risks.”
When you do become pregnant, make sure you get regular prenatal care. PCOS can cause problems during pregnancy for both mother and baby, including higher rates of gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and cesarean section (C-section).
It’s important to remember that while PCOS is a condition that’s treatable, it isn’t yet curable.
“While PCOS never completely resolves, we can see improvement in certain symptoms with lifestyle changes. Many women will begin to ovulate spontaneously with a 10-15% decrease in weight,” Dr. Underwood explained.
If you’re concerned that you might have PCOS, be an advocate for yourself and turn to the experts at LMH Health. Make an appointment to talk with your primary care provider or OB-GYN to diagnose and manage your condition.
