Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not a rare disease, in the US it is estimated that 5-10% of all women of childbearing age have PCOS, and it is the leading cause of infertility. birth in women. Although it is most common in adult women and teenage girls, it has also happened in girls as young as 11 years old. Up to 70% of women with PCOS are not diagnosed. Women with PCOS are also often insulin resistant, meaning that their bodies produce insulin but are not using it effectively. They also have a family history of insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. Although PCOS cannot be cured, you can treat its symptoms.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: See a Doctor

1. 

   
   
   Find out how your doctor diagnoses PCOS. The most common diagnostic standard for PCOS is called the "Rotterdam standard". A patient is confirmed to have PCOS when either of the following occurs:
   • Strong androgenic. Androgens are hormones present in both men and women, but they are more present in men. Androgens in excess in women can cause symptoms like:
     • hirsutism (overgrown hair)
     • pimples
     • androgen-induced hair loss (baldness in men or thinning hair)
     • gain weight, especially gain weight in the area around the abdomen
   • Ovulation dysfunction. The most common sign of ovulation dysfunction is an irregular menstrual cycle.
     • A short menstrual cycle (less than 21 days) is a sign of ovulation dysfunction.
     • A long menstrual cycle (more than 35 days) is also a sign of ovulation dysfunction.
   • Polycystic Ovary. Your doctor must use an ultrasound to look for the following signs in the ovaries:
     • Bilateral enlargement (more than 10 cc)
     • Number and size of cysts (usually 12 or more, 2-9 mm in size)
     • Many follicles are of equal size
     • The cysts align along the circumference, thus creating an image of a pearl necklace

2. 

   
   
   Make an appointment with your doctor. There is no single test that can diagnose PCOS. The general practitioner or obstetrician will have to do many tests and tests. They can examine and perform basic tests, and then, if needed, recommend you to see a specialist for additional tests.
   • If you have PCOS and are having trouble conceiving, you may need to see a hormone doctor who specializes in infertility treatment. They are specialists in PCOS therapy with the aim of increasing fertility.
   • If you have PCOS but you don't want to conceive or have no trouble getting it, just see an endocrinologist.

3. 

   
   
   Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Since PCOS causes so many symptoms, it's important to let your doctor know about all the symptoms you're experiencing. Let them know of any symptoms even if you think they are irrelevant.
   • Also, make a list of your medical history.Note your family history: do you have a family member or relative who has diabetes, insulin resistance or other symptoms of hyper androgenation?

4. 

   Learn about the medical examination process. Your doctor will perform many tests and tests to diagnose PCOS. A general practitioner, obstetrician, or hormonalist can do the following exam.
   • Anamnesis. They ask about your period, weight and symptoms. They also want to know if you have a loved one with diabetes, insulin resistance or PCOS syndrome.
   • Physical examination. Your doctor will measure your blood pressure, BMI and check hair growth. During the examination they also check for other PCOS symptoms such as acne, thinning hair.
   • Pelvic exam. They want to check for abnormal swelling or development. Usually this is done manually (the doctor examines the pelvic area by hand) and by ultrasound.
   • Blood tests. They had to check the androgen and glucose (sugar) levels in the blood, in addition they asked to take a urine sample for analysis.

5. 

   Questions you need to ask. Once you've reached the conclusion of PCOS, there are a few questions you should ask your doctor. Consider the following questions:
   • Are there medications that can improve PCOS symptoms?
   • Is there any medicine or treatment that improves your fertility?
   • What do I need to do to deal with PCOS with other health problems?
   • What are the side effects of this disease treatment?
   • What complications can PCOS cause in the long term?
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Method 2 of 4: Understanding Medicines and Treatments

1. 

   Consider hormonal birth control. If you don't want to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about hormonal birth control. "Synthetic" birth control pills containing estrogen and progestin can regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce male hormone levels and clear acne. It also reduces your risk of developing endometrial cancer. Skin patches and vaginal rings containing these hormones are also an option for you. Your doctor will help you determine which method is most suitable.
   • Progesterone-only pills offer some of the same benefits as synthetic birth control pills. They help control menstruation and reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. However, these medications are not able to improve androgen-related symptoms, such as acne and hirsutism.

2. 

   Ask your doctor about Metformin. Metformin (trade name Glucophage, Fortamet, etc.) is an oral diabetes medicine type 2. Doctors often prescribe metformin to treat insulin resistance and reduce insulin levels in the body. Some studies show that metformin can also help lower cholesterol and manage weight.
   • People with a history of liver or heart disease can still take metformin safely. You must let your doctor know of any previous problems with the liver and heart.

3. 

   Ask your doctor about drugs to help you conceive. Your doctor may prescribe medications to induce ovulation, but you must let them know about your previous medical condition or symptoms so they can find out what medicine is best for you.
   • Clomiphene (Clomid, Serophene) or letrozole (Femara) are oral medications that you can take early in your menstrual cycle to stimulate ovulation. You will ovulate within 5-10 days after taking clomiphene or letrozole.
   • Tell your doctor if you have endometriosis, fibroids, liver problems or thyroid problems.
   • Side effects of clomiphene and letrozole include hot flashes, headache, and pain / pain with palpation.
   • You should note that for every 100 cases of pregnancy through treatment with clomiphene or letrozole, there are 7-10 cases of multiple pregnancies. Twins are the most common among them.
   • If clomiphene alone is not effective, your doctor may prescribe a combination of metformin and clomiphene.

4. 

   Ask your doctor about gonadotropin. Gonadotropin is also an option if the clomiphene isn't working. Gonadotropin is a hormone that stimulates the ovaries to produce multiple follicles (follicles containing eggs). The injection begins on the second or third day of the menstrual period and is continued for 7-12 days thereafter. This treatment costs a lot of money, so you should consult with an endocrinologist who specializes in infertility treatment to be sure it is the necessary option.
   • The success rate of gonadotropin injection is quite high. Among women who ovulate after gonadotropin injection and have no other factors affecting fertility, up to 50% will conceive within 4-6 ovulation cycles.
   • About 30% of pregnancies through injection of gonadotropin are multiples, the most common being twins, and 5% of them having three or more pregnancies.
   • Discuss side effects with your doctor. The majority of side effects from gonadotropin injection are mild, and in some cases more severe. Mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) can occur in 10-30% of patients with gonadotropin injection, with the severe form occurring only in about 1% of cases. If the case is severe, OHSS can cause nausea, vomiting, weight gain, increased blood clotting and other serious symptoms.

5. 

   Consider in vitro fertilization (IVF). With this method, the doctor will insert a fertilized egg into the uterus, which is a fairly effective technique. However, in vitro fertilization costs money and is only an option when less expensive treatments are ineffective. You should consult your doctor to make sure you are suitable for IVF.
   • People with PCOS react strongly to infertility medications, so they are often at increased risk of having multiple pregnancies. IVF is the best controlling technique for the probability of having multiple pregnancies.
   • IVF technique can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which is a serious side effect and in very rare cases leads to death.

6. 

   Consult your doctor about laparoscopic surgery. Ovarian surface burn endoscopy is a surgical procedure that stimulates ovulation in women with PCOS. This is seldom used and is only considered a last resort when other infertility treatments have failed.
   • The doctor proceeds to burn the ovarian surface spot when the patient is under general anesthesia. They destroy part of the ovary with a laser or other device, which lowers the amount of testosterone produced by the ovaries, thereby increasing the chances of ovulation.
   • Some studies confirm that about 50% of women can conceive within a year of having the procedure, at least for cases with a high probability of success.
   • Ovarian surface burn endoscopy has quite serious risks such as infection, internal bleeding, internal trauma, and scarring. Always consult your doctor about risks and side effects before considering this procedure.

7. 

   Stay in regular contact with your doctor. You need to stay in close contact with your doctor during the period of taking medication or treatment. This is even more important when you are undergoing infertility treatment. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience side effects after taking the medication.
   • If you are being treated for PCOS at the same time with several doctors, such as a general practitioner, obstetrician and hormonalist, be sure to keep them informed. During treatment, you need to let your healthcare provider know if you experience any symptoms or side effects.
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Method 3 of 4: Building Healthy Living Habits

1. 

   Understand the role of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that plays an important role in regulating metabolism. The digestive system breaks down carbohydrates such as sugars and starches to form glucose (sugar). Insulin helps the body absorb and use glucose as energy.
   • Women with PCOS also often experience insulin resistance, which increases the level of glucose in the blood instead of the absorption of glucose into the body. PCOS eventually leads to prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

2. 

   Eat a diet with a low glycemic index. Obesity among women with PCOS is up to 80%. Because women with PCOS have difficulty absorbing insulin, they need a diet that doesn't significantly affect blood sugar levels.
   • Limit processed foods and foods high in sugar. They do not provide many nutrients, while having a great impact on blood sugar levels.
   • Monitor calories. You should ask a dietitian or a dietitian to determine the optimal amount of calories to consume. If your obesity is related to PCOS, then reducing calories may help with weight loss.
   • Eat complex carbohydrates. Don't cut back on excess carbohydrates, but instead choose complex carbohydrates like whole grains, barley, brown rice, and beans. Complex carbohydrates are high in fiber and are slowly digested, so they can't spike insulin levels.
   • Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits and vegetables are loaded with fiber and essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.

3. 

   Do exercise. Exercise is an effective way to lose weight, reduce the risk of diabetes and complications in the cardiovascular system. Exercise also helps to regulate blood sugar levels.
   • You should do 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a day, such as heart rate exercises.
   • Research shows that physical activity makes muscles more sensitive to insulin, which in turn reduces blood glucose levels. Exercise also helps the muscles absorb glucose without the need for insulin.
   • A small amount of weight loss from 5% -7% is enough to reduce androgens and restore fertility.

4. 

   Give up smoking. Many studies have shown that smokers have higher androgen levels than nonsmokers. Tobacco also worsens insulin resistance.

5. 

   Hair treatment. Females with PCOS have unwanted hair growth in places. Some prescription medications can reduce this symptom. For many women, hair removal, shaving or plucking are enough to remove the hair. However, you can also remove hairs using the following methods:
   • Hair removal by laser. A very popular method that can permanently eliminate hair after 3-7 treatments. This procedure must be performed by a specialist, is expensive and is not covered by insurance.
   • Electrolysis. Electrolysis can permanently remove hair, thanks to heat or chemicals. This treatment must also be performed by a specialist, it has a higher probability of success than using a laser.
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Method 4 of 4: Understanding PCOS and Infertility

1. 

   Recognize the common PCOS symptoms. The PCOS syndrome causes many different symptoms, and they behave differently from person to person. Not all women with PCOS will have all of the symptoms of the disease. Polycystic ovary syndrome often has symptoms similar to other medical conditions, such as thyroid disease and Cushing's syndrome. So you need to see a doctor to accurately diagnose your condition. Common PCOS symptoms are:
   • irregular menstrual cycle
   • pimples
   • uneven hair growth at the places where hair is common in "men" such as chest, back and face
   • thin hair or bald-style men
   • obesity or gain weight, especially fat around the waist
   • infertility
   • pain in the pelvic area
   • Your doctor can identify symptoms you are not aware of, such as blood androgen levels or high cholesterol levels.

2. 

   Recognize the psychological symptoms of PCOS. Many studies show that women with PCOS often have prominent signs of depression compared with normal people. PCOS has also been linked to anxiety or sudden panic in women. There are many causes of depression and anxiety, but most are complex. Depression or anxiety alone is not enough to determine if you have PCOS. However, you should see your doctor right if any of these symptoms appear.
   • Symptoms of depression vary from woman to woman. They do not necessarily have all of the following symptoms when suffering from a depressive disorder, but these are general signs of pathological depression:
     • Feeling constantly sad, empty, or helpless
     • Feeling hopeless
     • Confuse
     • Tired and lack of energy
     • Change the taste
     • Change your sleep habits
     • Difficult to concentrate and forget
     • Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed
     • Suicidal thoughts or actions
   • The symptoms of anxiety are not the same for everyone. You may not see any of the following symptoms, but common signs of an anxiety disorder (other than feeling anxious sometimes) include:
     • Panicking, discomfort, or fear
     • Change your sleep habits
     • Difficulty concentrating
     • Physical symptoms include palpitations, dry mouth, muscle tension, nausea, and dizziness
     • Restlessness or restlessness
     • Breathless or difficult to breathe
   • Women with PCOS are also at increased risk for eating disorders.

3. 

   Determine if you are infertile. If you have been having sex for more than a year without using any contraception but are unable to conceive, then you should see your doctor.
   • There are many health conditions and factors that cause infertility, so infertility doesn't mean you have PCOS. However, PCOS is often the culprit that leads to infertility.
   • About 30% of infertility cases are caused by men, and women also account for a similar proportion of 30%. The rest of the cases have no known cause, or due to infertility on both sides.
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Advice

• Avoid diagnosing yourself. PCOS shares many symptoms with other illnesses, so it's a good idea to let your doctor diagnose it.
• Discuss any questions with your doctor. They can answer any question, prescribe medication and work directly with you.

Warning

• Refined carbohydrates such as sugar and bleached flour can raise blood sugar levels and raise insulin levels. Try to limit your intake of refined carbohydrates as much as possible.
• Never take any medications or take any other treatment without consulting your doctor, as they can lead to serious side effects or even death.