Common PCOS Symptoms and How We Can Help You Manage Them
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance resulting from the overproduction of testosterone in the ovaries and luteinizing hormones in the pituitary gland. The condition results in a variety of symptoms and comorbidities that affect women’s physical and mental health.
Serving the greater Los Angeles area with offices in Encino and Bakersfield, CA, the Los Angeles Reproductive Center is your premier location for all of your reproductive health needs. With years of experience and unmatched compassion, our team is here to help you address PCOS symptoms with comprehensive treatments.
Approximately 10% of women have PCOS, but they often feel embarrassed to talk about their symptoms. That’s why our doctors want to address common PCOS symptoms and how we can help you manage them.
Irregular Periods
Patients with PCOS often experience irregular menstrual cycles or abnormal bleeding during their periods. Cysts on the ovaries can affect estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the body. As a result, many patients have unpredictable periods characterized by abnormally light or heavy bleeding.
How we can help: Birth control, such as oral contraceptive pills or hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), can help patients manage their cycle and flow.
Weight Gain and Insulin Resistance
The hormonal imbalances of PCOS make it more difficult for the body to use insulin to convert sugar into energy. The result is increased blood sugar values that place patients at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Insulin resistance can affect metabolism, which is why many patients with PCOS experience weight gain. Moreover, these patients find that losing excess weight is much harder with PCOS.
How we can help: We educate patients on diet and lifestyle changes that can make a noticeable difference in their blood sugar levels and body mass. We can also prescribe glucose-controlling medications, like Metformin. Additionally, patients may request referrals to trusted registered dieticians and physical therapists in the area.
Infertility
Many patients with PCOS experience difficulty conceiving. This may be due to increased testosterone levels or immature follicles on the ovaries, both of which can hinder ovulation. If ovulation is not the culprit of infertility, then it is likely that hormonal imbalances are affecting the uterine lining, making egg implantation more difficult.
How we can help: Our doctors can prescribe medication to induce ovulation, such as clomiphene citrate or aromatase inhibitors. Alternatively, patients may try taking LH and FSH gonadotropins and pursuing in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Hair Loss or Growth
Some patients with PCOS experience thinning hair on their scalp and excess hair growth on their face and body. Increased testosterone is responsible for male-pattern hair loss and excess body hair.
How we can help: A prescription antiandrogen, like spironolactone, can help patients address hair loss due to PCOS. We can also refer patients to experts specializing in electrolysis and laser hair removal to manage excess body hair.
Talk to Us About Your PCOS Symptoms
The best way to start managing your PCOS symptoms is to schedule a consultation at the Los Angeles Reproductive Center. Our compassionate doctors can help you understand the nature of the condition, as well as provide effective treatments and solutions to manage it.
Patients can request an appointment by sending us a message, or may call our Bakersfield office at (661) 889-5173 or our Encino office at (818) 946-8051.
