Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Help and hope for women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Do you have irregular periods? Embarrassing hair growing on your face or body? Struggling with acne? Maybe PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is causing your problems. Women have a risk of developing PCOS during their reproductive years. PCOS also increases women’s risk of developing issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Our Austin and Dripping Springs OB/GYNs diagnose and treat this problem, helping you feel better and get healthier.

Several factors play a part in PCOS

Even though we don’t know what causes polycystic ovary syndrome, we do know that when certain factors combine, women are more likely to develop PCOS.

• You are at higher risk for PCOS if your ovaries produce high levels of androgens, a group of sex hormones that includes testosterone.

• Insulin resistance is a common problem in women with PCOS. It means that your body doesn’t respond to insulin the way it should, leading to increased levels of glucose. Insulin resistance raises the risk of developing diabetes.

• If you have a mother or sister with polycystic ovary syndrome, you have a higher risk.

• If you’re obese, you’re more likely to have PCOS.

PCOS symptoms include irregular periods and excessive facial and body hair

PCOS causes a variety of problematic symptoms.

• Menstrual irregularities, ranging from not having periods very often or ever, to having them on an irregular schedule

• Pelvic pain

• Fertility problems

• Hair growing on your face, chest, thumbs, toes, stomach or back

• Moderate to severe acne

• Hair loss

• Darkened brown or black-color skin patches

• Weight gain or obesity

Diagnosing PCOS

PCOS symptoms can cause pain and embarrassment, and an accurate diagnosis can help you move on to the treatment you need. There isn’t a special test for polycystic ovary syndrome, so your physician’s experience and expertise are important.

Our team begins with a pelvic examination and physical to determine if you have at least two PCOS symptoms. If so, our physicians may order tests to check hormone, cholesterol or insulin levels. A pelvic imaging study can also help with diagnosis. Our goal is to provide you with an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

See our Austin and Dripping Springs OB/GYNs for polycystic ovary syndrome treatment

Every patient is different, so our team creates a unique treatment plan to help alleviate your symptoms. Medications including combined birth control pills and metformin can help with symptoms such as irregular periods, hair growth and acne. Our Austin and Dripping Springs OB/GYNs also prescribe treatments that help slow down hair growth and make diet and exercise recommendations to help you lose weight.

If you are coping with infertility or distressing PCOS symptoms, contact us for an appointment.