{"id":13053,"date":"2020-09-09T08:16:38","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T06:16:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=13053"},"modified":"2020-11-26T13:34:19","modified_gmt":"2020-11-26T12:34:19","slug":"pcos-polycystic-ovary-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/pcos-polycystic-ovary-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to PCOS: What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;\"><em>This article was medically fact-checked by <a href=\"#drscroll\">Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Shree Datta<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ever experienced <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/4-causes-severe-period-cramps\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">intense cramping<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, unusually <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/why-heavy-periods\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heavy menstrual bleeding<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or cramps that have been so intense they\u2019ve left you unable to attend work or school? PCOS \u2013 or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome may be the culprit\u2014it affects 8-20% of menstruators worldwide. Not only does PCOS cause periods so painful they interrupt your daily life, but it is also one of the leading causes of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/signs-infertility\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">infertility<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if left unchecked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">September is PCOS Awareness Month, so we\u2019re shining a light on a syndrome that affects many and yet can be very tricky to diagnose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Is PCOS?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Polycystic Ovary Syndrome<\/strong> is caused by a hormone imbalance. It can develop at the onset of puberty, or later in your reproductive life. The exact cause isn\u2019t known, although it has been linked to excessive insulin or androgen (an XY-linked hormone) and may be hereditary. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That means that while some families don\u2019t like to discuss their intimate health, it\u2019s important to talk to others in your family about their menstruation experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If it seems like everyone in your family has a similarly painful period, that\u2019s an important indicator to let your doctor know about.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Are The Symptoms of PCOS?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the symptoms of PCOS can seem contradictory, as it can cause both infrequent periods or prolonged, heavy bleeding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some other symptoms are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unwanted facial\/body hair (caused by excess androgen) while thinning of hair on head toward middle age<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight gain (PCOS can lead to complications with Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/period-acne\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acne<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pelvic pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/ovarian-cysts-common-condition\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cysts on ovaries<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that may interrupt ovulation and lead to infertility<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How Is PCOS Diagnosed And Treated?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, there is no one diagnosis or treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To determine if you have PCOS, your doctor may give you a pelvic exam and vaginal ultrasound to look at the thickness of your uterine lining and to look for cysts. You may also have a blood test to measure hormone levels.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treatment is limited to individual symptoms. Hormonal <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/birth-control-options-best\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">birth control<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pills are often used to regulate your cycle and stop unwanted hair growth, while other medication may be prescribed to stimulate your ovaries if you\u2019re trying to conceive. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your doctor may also prescribe lifestyle changes like a low-calorie diet and increased activity, as losing weight can improve your condition and increase the effectiveness of medication you\u2019re taking for PCOS.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are other options for managing pain related to PCOS, but you shouldn\u2019t try to self-diagnose or self-medicate. Even taking ordinary <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/ibuprofen-periods\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NSAIDS like ibuprofen incorrectly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can have other negative effects on your body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Pregnancy &amp; PCOS<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because PCOS can be accompanied by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/conceive-irregular-periods\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">irregular ovulation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, people with PCOS might have difficulty with conception. But it\u2019s not impossible! There are treatments available to regulate or induce ovulation is undertaken. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those with PCOS may, however, be at higher risk for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/understanding-miscarriage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">miscarriage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and other complications due to some of the interconnected conditions (like diabetes), so it\u2019s important to discuss your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/preparing-for-pregnancy-before-the-baby-bump-2\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plans for future pregnancy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with a doctor when getting checked for symptoms you believe may be PCOS.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What To Do If You Think You Have PCOS<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re suffering from any of the symptoms above, it\u2019s important to talk to your care provider. Unfortunately, getting a diagnosis and care for PCOS is, like many gynaecological matters, easier said than done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span id=\"drscroll\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Many doctors who don\u2019t know a lot about this condition might think you\u2019re exaggerating your symptoms, or that you just \u201chave to live with it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your GP is dismissive of your problem, seek a gynaecologist, and if possible, one that has a specialization or experience with PCOS. That\u2019s the sort of thing that their office should be able to tell you over the phone before you even set your appointment!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before your appointment, make sure to note down the issues you want to bring up, and keep handy information about your cycles such as your most recent one and average length. There are plenty of apps that can help!<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"drstamp\" style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; background-color: #fff5f7; padding: 20px 20px 5px 20px;\">\n<h3 style=\"padding-bottom: 10px;\">Facts checked by:<\/h3>\n<h3 style=\"color: #ed008c;\"><strong>Dr. Shree Datta<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-28100\" style=\"padding-top: 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/3LQ6bY-L_400x400.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Laurie Mintz, Ph.D.\" width=\"110\" height=\"96\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Dr. Shree Datta is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in London, specialising in women&#8217;s health including all menstrual problems such as fibroids and endometriosis. Dr. Shree is a keen advocate for patient choice, having written numerous articles and books to promote patient and clinician information. Her vision resonates with INTIMINA, with the common goals of demystifying periods and delivering the best possible care to her patients<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themedicalchambers.com\/find-a-clinician\/ms-shree-datta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Medical<\/a><\/strong> | <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.linkedin.com\/in\/shree-datta-10320327\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">LinkedIn<\/a><\/strong> | <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/drshreedatta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"padding-left: 20px;\">Written by:<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article was medically fact-checked by Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Shree Datta. Ever experienced intense cramping, unusually heavy menstrual bleeding or cramps that have been so intense they\u2019ve left&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":17501,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[47,99,224,282],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.12 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Your Guide to PCOS: What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Affecting 8-20% of menstruators (and being a leading cause infertility) means it pays to be PCOS-literate.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/pcos-polycystic-ovary-syndrome\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written 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