Understanding PCOS: What Every Woman Should Know About This Common Condition

Causing symptoms like acne, excess hair growth, infertility, and irregular menstrual periods, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common problem affecting women in their reproductive years. Its cause isn’t fully understood, but it’s known to be a condition associated with hormonal imbalances. 

At ThriveOB and Women's Wellness in Barrington, Illinois, Dr. Jennifer Moreira and her team regularly diagnose and treat patients with PCOS. It can be tricky to spot, given the wide range of symptoms it can generate. 

We’re here to help you better understand PCOS, in hopes of boosting early recognition and treatment rates. 

A new name

The PCOS name implies that ovarian cysts are key to the condition, and while they can be present, they’re not central to the condition and its collection of symptoms. It’s now called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), a name that better describes the origins of the effects on your body.  

It’s likely, though, that PCOS will remain in popular usage as the new name establishes itself. The important takeaway is that PCOS and PMOS refer to the same condition and symptom sets. 

Understanding PCOS

PCOS is a hormonal and metabolic condition in which the ovaries produce an excess of hormones called androgens. While you may have ovarian cysts simultaneously with the condition, these aren’t necessary to have the condition. 

It’s not fully understood what causes PCOS. Many experts believe that a number of factors can contribute, including: 

• Genetics: women in your family may share the condition
• Insulin resistance
• Hormonal imbalances: resulting in an excess of androgens (male hormones)
• Inflammation
• Obesity

Without treatment, PCOS can increase your risk of: 

• Anxiety and depression
• Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes
• Endometrial cancer
• High blood pressure
• Infertility
• Sleep apnea
• Liver disease
• Metabolic syndrome

Visit Dr. Moreira and the team when you recognize conditions such as: 

• Adult acne outbreaks
• An increase in facial hair
• Irregular periods over consecutive months
• Unexplained weight gain
• Persistent fatigue
• Problems with fertility

It’s important to seek treatment early rather than ignoring symptoms or misdiagnosing yourself, since symptoms can be shared with other conditions. 

Managing PCOS

Since PCOS can’t be cured, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and reducing long-term complications. In most cases, a mix of medication and lifestyle modifications can be effective. Consider these strategies: 

• Weight loss and maintenance: Even modest amounts of weight loss can relieve symptoms and future complications
• Increased activity: provides many benefits, including lowering androgen levels and blood sugar
• Combination birth control pills: combining estrogen and progestin reduces androgen and stabilizes your cycle while protecting against endometrial cancer
• Progestin therapy: similar effects to the pill without preventing pregnancy
• Infertility treatments: if you have PCOS-related fertility problems and want to get pregnant

Contact ThriveOB and Women's Wellness to confirm your PCOS condition and build a treatment plan with Dr. Moreira. Call 847-868-2908 for our appointment hotline today.