PCOS - Vitality Hormone Center

What is PCOS?

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a common hormonal disorder that affects women during their reproductive years. Some key facts about PCOS:

• PCOS is characterized by hormonal imbalances - it leads to high levels of androgens, male hormones that are typically present at low levels in women
• It manifests with signs and symptoms like irregular periods, excess facial and body hair growth, acne, ovarian cysts, and sometimes obesity
• PCOS often causes infertility issues due to irregular ovulation
• The exact cause is unknown but genetics and insulin resistance are thought to play a role

Some key signs and symptoms of PCOS include:

• Irregular periods - this includes cycles longer than 35 days, fewer than 8 periods a year. Or skipped cycles all together
• Excess androgen levels causing hirsutism (excess body hair) and acne
• Weight gain and challenges with losing weight
• Ovarian cysts - fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries

PCOS is usually diagnosed with a combination of:

• Medical history evaluation
• Physical exam assessing hirsutism and acne
• Blood tests checking hormone levels - testosterone etc
• Pelvic ultrasound to visualize the ovarian cysts

The good news is PCOS symptoms can be managed with lifestyle and medical therapies! Vitality Hormone Center specializes in personalized care plans including diet, supplements, and medications to regulate periods, manage excess hair/acne, promote fertility, and improve metabolic health for women with PCOS. We take a whole body approach to address the root hormonal imbalances driving PCOS. () to learn more or book a consultation today.

Now back to more on PCOS. While there's no "cure", symptoms can be well-managed with a multifaceted approach including:

• Lifestyle changes like weight loss, low GI diet, exercise
• Medications like birth control pills, anti-androgens, insulin sensitizers
• Treatment of infertility with ovulation induction agents

The key is finding the right combination of lifestyle and medications tailored to your specific PCOS presentation. This is why specialized care with clinics like Vitality Hormone Center can be so helpful!

Monitoring and managing PCOS appropriately is crucial for both short term quality of life improvements and long term health. Complications to be aware of include:

• Infertility: PCOS causes ovulation issues and irregular cycles impacting fertility
• Metabolic syndrome: Weight gain and insulin resistance increases future diabetes and heart disease risk
• Endometrial cancer: Lack of periods can cause unhealthy proliferation of the uterine lining

The bottom line - PCOS requires lifelong attention but symptoms CAN be managed for great outcomes with the right care! Reaching out to specialized clinics like Vitality Hormone Center for science-backed testing and treatment is a smart step.