Do I have PCOS?
What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
PCOS is a common hormonal condition that affects those with ovaries. Ironically, PCOS does not necessarily mean a person has a whole bunch of cysts on their ovaries. It actually means that they have a larger number of ovarian follicles within each ovary. This can be commonly misunderstood. Just because you have numerous cysts on your ovaries, does not mean you necessarily have PCOS!
Just like the name does suggest, it is a syndrome. This means that a group of symptoms typically occur together OR a specific condition is characterized by a set of associated symptoms.
In PCOS, the group of symptoms may appear as the following:
· Irregular menses: seen primarily as amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea. This means that either you’re not getting a period regularly, or your cycles are really long. (click here to learn more about the menstrual terminology).
· Hyperandrogenism: this is a really fancy word for saying you have elevated levels of typical “male” hormones such as testosterone. This leads to excess acne, hair growth in unwanted places, and sometimes even male-pattern baldness.
· Insulin resistance: Many individuals with PCOS struggle with insulin resistance. When our pancreas is no longer able to respond to elevated levels of glucose in our blood with appropriate insulin release, our body struggles to regulate the excess glucose. This leads to or can be complicated by conditions such as diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
· “Polycystic ovaries”: Now this isn’t really a symptom, but more a finding on ultrasound. Remember that polycystic ovaries mean the follicle count is higher than normal, not that there are just numerous cysts. If your doctor suspects you have PCOS, a pelvic ultrasound will be part of the work-up to see exactly what your ovaries look like.
What is the Cause?
Though the exact cause is not known, we do know is that it is becoming a lot more common. Now this could also be due to proper work-up and diagnosing rather than just being given the most common solution for any menstrual irregularity-birth control.
A combination of genetics, hormonal, and lifestyle factors all contribute to the development of PCOS.
Why Do I Care?
Having PCOS unfortunately increases your risk for cardiovascular disease, uterine/endometrial cancer, and infertility. Those with PCOS tend to also struggle with elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, and weight gain. Being the leading cause of infertility, PCOS is also a HUGE topic in the fertility world. Our ovaries struggle to have successful ovulatory cycles leading to chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalances.
How is it Commonly Treated?
The great news is that there are SO MANY things we can do to help manage symptoms of PCOS. Most doctors will offer up birth control as their primary treatment. What birth control will do is put a bandaid over the problem. My passion as a naturopathic physician is to uncover and treat the root cause. If your cycle isn’t regular, let’s make it regular. If you’re struggling to lose weight, let’s address healthy ways to lose weight. You shouldn’t have to advocate for your own well-being to your doctors; that’s our job!
What do I do for PCOS:
· Lifestyle Modifications-let’s talk about healthy exercise routines, weight management, and cardiometabolic health
· Medications- I am not anti-birth control, or anti-pharmaceuticals. There is a time and a place for pharmaceutical intervention and sometimes it can really help those struggling.
· Botanical medicine and supplements: Herbs and supplements work WONDERS for PCOS. There are so many wonderful herbs and supplements that help to support healthy ovulation, stabilize blood sugar, eliminate excess hormones, and regulate your cycle.
· Mental Health-Stress can affect our body in more ways than we sometimes understand. Let’s address the stigma around a PCOS diagnosis, and work on regulating your nervous system to mitigate stress.
Is PCOS super quick and easy to manage? I would say unfortunately, no.
However, it is definitely treatable with the right dedication, commitment, and knowledge! PCOS can present so many challenges for patients, but knowing what things to look out for, and what things to focus on can really help how you view your own health. I would love to work with you to address your symptoms and help you gain control over your reproductive health.