Worried that you may have PCOS? Find out more about this condition and what we can do to help.

Do you notice that you have irregular menstrual cycles? Do you sometimes skip your periods altogether? You could be dealing with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition in which estrogen and progesterone levels are off kilter and can lead to to ovarian cysts. Find out more about this condition and how your OBGYN can help.

What causes PCOS?

Unfortunately, no one really knows what causes this condition, but it is believed that genetics and hormonal imbalances have some responsibility in who develops PCOS and who doesn’t. If your mother or immediate family member has this condition, you are also more likely to develop PCOS.

Women with PCOS also tend to have an overproduction of androgen, a male sex hormone. Androgen can affect how an egg develops or is released each month.

What are some telltale signs that I have PCOS?

Many women will start to notice that something is amiss one they start menstruating. Of course symptoms varies from woman to woman, but many people with PCOS notice that they have irregular menstrual cycles.

With the imbalance of hormones, some women may start developing more masculine characteristics such as:

• Excess hair on the face, chest, fingers or toes
• Thin hair
• Deeper voice

Besides these symptoms women with PCOS may also experience:

• Weight gain (usually caused by other chronic health problems like diabetes)
• Infertility
• Depression
• Abdominal pain
• Acne

How will a PCOS specialist treat my condition?

While there is no cure for PCOS, there are certainly ways to manage your symptoms. Your treatment plan will be tailored to what symptoms you are experiencing. Of course, a healthy diet and regular exercise are recommended for everyone who has been diagnosed with this condition.

Birth control pills may also be prescribed to help regulate hormones and your menstrual cycle, and they sometimes have the added bonus of improving your acne. For women with PCOS who are looking to get pregnant, fertility treatments may be recommended to help assist in successful ovulation.

If you are concerned that you may have PCOS, or if you are having issues with irregular periods, it’s time you talked to your gynecologist.