Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects your reproductive hormones, affects your period, and contributes to infertility. Yet, the symptoms extend far beyond your reproductive health.
PCOS can lead to weight gain, increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes, cause excessive facial hair growth (but thinning on the top of your head), and leave you with stubborn acne.
If you’re on the hunt for a PCOS treatment that works, you’ve no doubt discovered that the internet is rife with solutions for PCOS — some of which may do more harm than good.
Supplements with unsupported claims, weight loss programs with dangerous calorie targets, expensive beauty products, and magic diet cures are just a few examples of what not to try.
So where should you start?
Here at Westover Hills Women's Health, our team of board-certified fertility specialists and OBGYNs excels at diagnosing and treating PCOS with evidence-based practices and lifestyle modifications studied and recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Take a moment and learn the truth about PCOS treatment.
The ACOG recommends combined birth control pills — pills that contain both estrogen and progestin — to provide long-term management of PCOS. Combined birth control pills:
This option is ideal for women who aren’t trying to grow their family. If you’re trying to get pregnant or considering it, let us know. There are other treatments available that won’t affect your ability to conceive.
Ovulation-stimulating medication can also help correct abnormal ovulation. You might consider this option if you’re trying to conceive.
Clomiphene (Clomid) is the first line of defense for anovulatory women and can trigger your body to ovulate. Letrozole can also stimulate ovulation.
Women with PCOS are seven times more likely to develop a metabolic condition, such as Type 2 diabetes. If you have insulin resistance, you may benefit from medication to help control your insulin levels.
Metformin, typically used for Type 2 diabetes, can improve your insulin sensitivity, reduce your insulin resistance, and improve your ovarian function.
While there isn’t a magic lifestyle change that eliminates all PCOS symptoms, there are several lifestyle modifications that can help you manage symptoms and reduce your risk of complications. This includes:
Even outside of PCOS, these lifestyle changes can provide many benefits, including improved mental wellness, increased energy, and better blood pressure levels.
Researching on the internet can be overwhelming. When researching PCOS and evidence-based treatments, double-check your sources. To determine if an online source is credible, check if it comes from a peer-reviewed journal, a reputable medical organization like ACOG, or another authoritative health institution.
If you’d like to learn more about PCOS or the treatments that our team prescribes, let us know. We’d be more than happy to recommend solid sources for you to learn more.
We’re here to help you get PCOS treatments you can trust. If you’re struggling with PCOS — or suspect that you may be — call one of our four San Antonio, Texas, offices to get the PCOS treatment you need. Or, simply click here to request your appointment.
