PCOS is a health issue in the female reproductive system. An imbalance of sex hormones, specifically high androgen levels, is often the cause of PCOS symptoms.

Androgens are the male sex hormones. Women normally have lower levels of these hormones. People with PCOS have higher levels than usual. This affects your ovaries, the reproductive organs that make eggs, and other body parts.

People with PCOS may have irregular or missed periods, severe acne, and excessive hair growth on the face, chest, and thighs. PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility. Doctors don’t know the exact cause of PCOS, but it tends to run in families.

PCOS symptoms include:

• Acne: You may have oily skin or severe acne after the teen years. Acne caused by PCOS often doesn’t respond to typical treatments.
• Darkened skin: Some people with PCOS also have patches of thick, darkened skin along the neck creases, groin, and beneath the breasts.
• Excess hair growth: You may notice extra hair on your face, chest, belly, or upper thighs. Doctors call this hirsutism. You may also have thinning hair or male-pattern baldness.
• Infertility: In a healthy menstrual cycle, your ovaries release an egg every month. With PCOS, the egg may not develop or release. That leads to irregular or absent periods.
• Irregular periods: Your periods may occur too frequently, or you may skip them altogether. They may be heavy or unpredictable.
• Obesity: 50% – 80% of all women with PCOS are obese. Women with PCOS often find it very difficult to lose weight.
• Ovarian cysts: You may have multiple small, fluid-filled sacs in one or both ovaries.

For a doctor to diagnose you with PCOS, you usually have at least 2 major signs of the disease. These include lack of ovulation, higher androgen levels, or ovarian cysts.

Complications and risk factors for PCOS

PCOS often goes hand in hand with insulin resistance. Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into the cells. If you’re resistant, your body can’t use insulin properly, leading to high blood sugar levels and eventually type 2 diabetes. 

Risk factors for PCOS include:

• A family history of PCOS or other menstrual problems
• Being overweight or obese
• Gaining weight quickly
• Having type 2 diabetes

There’s no cure for PCOS, but at Carilion, we offer a range of treatments to help you manage your symptoms. 

Lifestyle changes

There are many things you can do at home to help control your PCOS symptoms. 

• Stay at a healthy weight: If you need to lose weight, talk to your doctor about making a plan and getting support. Even a 10% loss in body weight can help make your menstrual cycle more regular.
• Exercise: Raising your heart rate for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, can help with weight loss and hormone balance.
• Eat a healthy diet: Aim for a diet packed with fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.

Medicine

Various medicines can help manage PCOS symptoms. 

• Anti-androgens: These drugs block the effect of androgens. Taking them can reduce hair loss on your scalp, face, and body. Anti-androgen medicines may cause problems during pregnancy, so talk to your doctor about the pros and cons.
• Metformin: This drug treats type 2 diabetes. It may help restart ovulation.
• Weight loss drugs: If you're obese or have type 2 diabetes, weight loss drugs may help improve your PCOS symptoms.

Hormonal birth control

If you don’t want to get pregnant, hormonal birth control can help you manage PCOS symptoms. Hormonal birth control includes the birth control pill, patch, shot, vaginal ring, and hormone intrauterine device.

It can help: 

• Make your periods more regular
• Improve acne
• Reduce excess hair on your face and body
• Lower your risk of endometrial cancer