Doctor: “Ma’am, you have a condition called PCOS.”
Client; “PCOS? Please explain, doctor.”
Doctor: “PCOS means polycystic ovarian syndrome, and it’s probably the culprit for your delays in conception.”
Client; “But the last doctor I spoke with said everything was fine.”
Doctor: “Well ma’am, PCOS usually takes seeing more than one doctor to diagnose.”

This may or may not be akin to what you experienced when you got your PCOS diagnosis, but is usually the case.

Let’s define PCOS first. PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects women of childbearing age. In many cases, it affects your ability to conceive. As the name implies, it causes cysts in the ovaries, which is why it is called, “polycystic.” It takes more than one test to actually diagnose PCOS because it is a hormonal condition that requires a lot of testing.

The cause of PCOS is not entirely known.

[Fun fact: Not all women with PCOS have cysts in their ovaries!]

Symptoms include irregular periods, unwanted body and facial hair, and aggressive acne, but PCOS can also lead to other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Other symptoms include:
Mood swings
Pelvic pain
Weight gain

Client: “So, doctor, you mean there is no way out for me in terms of treatment?”
Doctor: “There’s always a way-out ma’am, but first, we start with addressing the superficial symptoms and then we develop something tailored for you.”

There are definitely treatment options for you, but they must be tailored based on your hormone levels and other symptoms you feel. You should never compare your body to another person’s. Always go by your doctor’s advice. With the right kind of treatment, you can certainly get pregnant.

Client: “Doctor, please tell me exactly what’s going on with my hormones.”
Doctor: “Okay ma’am, your hormones make different things happen. Let’s just say your body right now is producing less of the hormones you need to have a proper menstrual cycle.”

PCOS simply means your hormones are “all over the place” or imbalanced. Ideally, your reproductive hormones send signals to your ovaries but when they are imbalanced, those signals are delayed or totally absent, leading to missed/irregular/infrequent/prolonged periods, unpredictable ovulation, and other related issues with the menstrual cycle.

Client: “So, what are the hormones making me have hair on my face and chest?”
Doctor: “Male hormones, ma’am.”

Yep. Male hormones, or androgens. The truth is, women have male hormones, but at a level that is very low. PCOS patients have them at high levels. So, if you have hair in places a lady shouldn’t, androgen is the culprit.

PCOS may also be genetic in some people. If a sister, mother, or grandmother had it, you just might.

They might give you blood tests to measure your hormone levels, blood sugar, and cholesterol. An ultrasound can check your ovaries for cysts, look for tumors, and measure the lining of your uterus.

Client: “Alright doc, enough talk about the problem. What is the solution?”
Doctor: “Based on your symptoms, we will tailor something to suit you.”

Treatment is subject to your age and the symptoms you have. It also depends on if you are trying to get pregnant. Knowing this, your doctor can come up with a treatment plan suited to you.

If diabetes is a concern, you may also be given medications to lower insulin and help with weight loss.

Client: “Thank you for explaining this to me in detail doctor, I definitely need to talk to you more often.”
Doctor: “I’m always happy to help. Call me if there’s anything more, I can do.”

PCOS patients usually keep open tabs with their doctor, and that helps them navigate through their symptoms and come out on the other side with success stories such as pregnancy, stable blood pressure levels, and proper management of other chronic issues.

Remember, our community is a place where you can confidently express yourself with our specialists. Own your story with WellFert today.