Specialty

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

What is it?

Excess male hormones associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome causes multiple symptoms including acne, abnormal facial or body hair, irregular or skipped menstrual cycles, cysts in the ovaries, and, for some women, infertility.

Two distinct clinical pictures of PCOS exist, the more common one includes insulin resistance, weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and unusually high levels of male hormone levels. The second type of PCOS also involves abnormal hormone tests, but occurs in women of normal weight without blood sugar abnormalities.

What causes it?

PCOS results from a combination of genetic and environmental causes, with a family history of PCOS or type 2 diabetes contributing. Women with PCOS are at higher risk for sleep apnea, heart disease, mood disorders and endometrial cancer.

Conventional medications for PCOS including birth control pills and metformin manage the symptoms of this condition, but cannot reverse the disease process and often have unwanted side effects.

Instead, a more holistic approach involving:

diet
lifestyle modifications
hormone testing
adrenal and thyroid support
regulation of the menses with supplements and herbs

These treatments can get your cycle back on track, help you lose weight, and treat your other symptoms like fatigue. For those women who have insulin resistance, managing this condition is the first step in reversing your PCOS. In addition, Dr. Krisko has had good success with helping women with PCOS achieve pregnancy.

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