When you have polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, your menstrual cycle is usually very irregular. There are other symptoms as well, including weight gain and excess facial hair on your face and body. Managing the symptoms of PCOS may seem impossible, but with help, treatment is often successful.
At Collaborative Women’s Care, Dr. Eduardo Valdes and his team offer PCOS management when you’re dealing with this condition. Dr. Valdes carefully evaluates your symptoms to provide you with the best treatment plan for your specific condition.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition that affects women, and is characterized by overproduction of male sex hormones from your ovaries. These hormones are known as androgens, and are typically found in only small amounts in women.
However, when you have PCOS, hormones like testosterone are produced by the many cysts on your ovaries. This leads to the signs and symptoms of PCOS, which include:
Not every woman who has PCOS has multiple cysts on their ovaries. With PCOS, you may not produce enough of the hormone that allows you to ovulate. Without ovulation, your ovaries may become overrun with tiny cysts, leading to overproduction of certain male hormones.
The severity of the symptoms of PCOS are different for everyone. If you’re noticing a change in your menstrual cycle or it’s become extremely irregular, it’s a good idea to seek treatment from Dr. Valdes.
The same is true if you’re noticing other signs of PCOS. For example, if you begin to grow hair on your face or body or you have new acne, you should seek out help.
PCOS often causes infertility as well. If you’re having trouble getting pregnant, PCOS could be the reason why. Dr. Valdes helps you determine if PCOS is the cause of your infertility, and provides you with options to help you conceive.
PCOS symptoms also lead to depression. If you’re constantly feeling sad and hopeless, it’s vital that you seek help from Dr. Valdes and his team.
The first step in managing your PCOS is through lifestyle changes. If you’re overweight, losing even a few extra pounds helps you manage the symptoms of this disease. Although difficult at first, losing weight significantly impacts PCOS for the better. Other ways to manage this condition include:
Eating well helps some of the symptoms related to PCOS. Including fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins not only helps you lose weight, but can also help when it comes to infertility related to PCOS.
You should limit foods high in carbohydrates, as they cause your insulin levels to rise. This causes some of the uncomfortable symptoms of PCOS.
Adding some physical activity into your daily routine is a great way to shed a few extra pounds. However, exercise also helps with the negative emotional effects PCOS can have on you. It may also help with infertility related to PCOS.
If you’re not trying to get pregnant, Dr. Valdes recommends hormone therapy to even out your menstrual cycles. This may include birth control pills that contain either estrogen, progestin, or both.
Dr. Valdes sometimes also prescribes medications to help you ovulate. These medications include Clomiphene and Letrozole. Metformin may also be used to help you control your insulin levels and help you get pregnant.
If you’re dealing with the symptoms of PCOS, call our office today at 305-200-3878 to book an appointment with Dr. Valdes. You can also schedule a consultation using our online booking feature.
