Treatments for PCOS: Understanding Your Options

Did you know that 1 out of 10 women has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? PCOS is one of the most common hormone imbalance issues women of childbearing age face. Women with PCOS have ovaries with immature follicles which refuse to break open to release the eggs. As a result of this, a woman doesn't ovulate and her menstrual cycle could skip. There could be a lot of cysts on both the ovaries making pregnancy quite difficult. Though the reasons for getting PCOS are not known, it could happen due to hereditary factors.
Some signs of PCOS are as follows:

• Irregular periods or heavy periods
• Extra hair all over your body (due to the presence of the male hormone, androgen)
• Bloating in the pelvic region
• Weight gain
• Oily skin
• Dark patches

Though there is no proven cure for PCOS, there are a lot of treatments available today, especially for women who want to have a baby someday. Some common treatments of PCOS are as follows:

Oral Contraceptive Pills

Two types of birth control pills (combination pills and progestin-only pills) are effective in treating PCOS. While combination pills contain estrogen as well as progestin, a form of the progesterone hormone, progestin-only pills only have the progestin hormone. Both types of birth control pills get rid of the tiny cysts in the ovaries, thereby regulating periods and helping in ovulation.

Fertility Treatments

Clomiphene and letrozole are medicines proven to treat infertility. If you are suffering from PCOS and are trying to conceive, your doctor may prescribe you a combination of these medications. If you still see no improvement, your doctor might even suggest gonadotropins shots.

Diabetic Medication

Women with diabetes have high chances of having PCOS. The high insulin levels can increase testosterone levels, thereby making periods irregular. Some doctors prescribe insulin drugs to bring down the insulin level, which will thereby reduce testosterone and androgen levels.

Dietary and Lifestyle Changes

If you are looking for a natural therapy to treat PCOS, you could incorporate changes to your diet to flush out the ovarian cysts. Eat a balanced diet, and avoid sugars, starches, and unhealthy fats. Include food items like whole soy foods, green tea, and fatty fish in your diet that will balance your hormones. You also need to exercise and meditate regularly to manage your weight and your stress levels.

Surgical Procedures

Some women undergo surgeries to get rid of the ovarian cysts or by reducing androgen levels. These procedures could be anything from laparoscopic ovarian drilling to cyst aspiration.

If you have PCOS, don't worry. These therapies have changed many women's lives. Identifying the symptoms earlier can help in reducing the symptoms of PCOS. Despite having PCOS, many women are still able to ovulate and conceive without any issues.