what is the pcos treatment

Medication

Treatment. PCOS treatment focuses on managing your individual concerns, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne or obesity. Specific treatment might involve lifestyle changes or medication. Lifestyle changes. Your doctor may recommend weight loss through a low-calorie diet combined with moderate exercise activities.

Procedures

What is PCOS and how can it be treated? PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian syndrome and affects between 5-10% of women of reproductive age. The criteria for diagnosis has some variations but the most commonly used one involves the presence of irregular or absent menstrual periods in combination with excess androgens (male hormones) or evidence of them (male type facial/body hair) and possibly polycystic ovaries.

Self-care

What causes it?

• Genes. Studies show that PCOS runs in families ( 5 ). ...
• Insulin resistance. Up to 70 percent of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, meaning that their cells can’t use insulin properly ( 7 ).
• Inflammation. Women with PCOS often have increased levels of inflammation in their body. ...

Nutrition

Home Remedies for PCOS

• Soak 3 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds in water for 6-8 hours. Take one teaspoon of the soaked seeds along with some honey in the morning on an empty stomach.
• Continue this treatment daily for a few weeks or until you see improvement.
• You can also include fenugreek seeds and leaves in your regular diet.

What are the different treatment options for PCOS?

What is PCOS and can it be cured?

What causes PCOS and how will it affect my body?

What are some effective home remedies to cure PCOS/PCOD?

How long is the treatment of PCOS?

It may take up to 6 months to determine whether treatment with birth control is effective. Antiandrogens also are sometimes used to treat PCOS. These medicines counter the effects of excess androgens on a girl's body, and can help clear up skin and hair growth problems.

Can PCOS be treated completely?

Myth #2: If You Lose Weight, You Can Get Rid of PCOS Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS, but overweight and obese women can help balance their hormone levels by losing weight. Otherwise, treatment is aimed at managing symptoms. A wide range of treatment options can help prevent any potential problems.

What is the treatment goal of PCOS?

However, the overall aims of treatment are to induce ovulation for women desiring conception, to reduce androgen levels, to reduce body weight and to reduce long-term health risks of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease.

Can I get pregnant with PCOS?

Can I still get pregnant if I have PCOS? Yes. Having PCOS does not mean you can't get pregnant. PCOS is one of the most common, but treatable, causes of infertility in women.

Is PCOS serious?

While PCOS itself is not life threatening, those who have it are at higher risk for other more serious conditions such as Type II diabetes, cardiovascular problems, endometrial cancer, liver inflammation, and a few others.

What is the first treatment for PCOS?

Medications Used to Treat Manifestations of Polycystic Ovary SyndromeMedicationDescriptionFDA pregnancy categoryFirst-lineClomiphene (Clomid)†Ovulation induction agentXEflornithine (Vaniqa)‡Inhibits hair growthCMetformin (Glucophage)§Insulin-sensitizing agentB11 more rows•Apr 15, 2009

Can you have regular periods with PCOS?

Some women with PCOS may have a regular monthly cycle each month. Yes, you can have PCOS and have regular periods. Sometimes periods can be occur too frequently - several times a month or lasting for weeks at a time. Heavy bleeding can cause women to become anemic or have low iron levels.

How long can PCOS delay your period?

PCOS and Pregnancy Tests Menstrual irregularity is often due to an imbalance of hormones. 1 Some women with PCOS can have a period that lasts three weeks. Others may not get a period for three months, never knowing when or if it will show up. Some women may get no periods whatsoever.

What is PCOS treatment?

Treatments can help you manage the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and lower your odds for long-term health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. You and your doctor should talk about what your goals are so you can come up with a treatment plan. For example, if you want to get pregnant and are having trouble, ...

What is the best treatment for PCOs?

Birth control is the most common PCOS treatment for women who don't want to get pregnant. Hormonal birth control -- pills, a skin patch, vaginal ring, shots, or a hormonal IUD (intrauterine device) -- can help restore regular periods.

How to deal with PCOs?

One of the best ways to deal with PCOS is to eat well and exercise regularly. Many women with PCOS are overweight or obese. Losing just 5% to 10% of your body weight may ease some symptoms and help make your periods more regular. It may also help manage problems with blood sugar levels and ovulation.

How to make your ovaries work better?

Surgery: A procedure called ovarian drilling might make your ovaries work better when ovulation medications don't, but it's being done less often than it used to. The doctor makes a small cut in your belly and uses a tool called a laparoscope with a needle to poke your ovary and wreck a small part of it.

Can PCOs cause hair growth?

Excessive hair growth. Sometimes PCOS causes unwanted hair growth, which your doctor can treat with medications and hair removal methods, such as: Depilatories: These are creams, gels, and lotions that break down the protein structure of hair so it falls out of the skin. Follow the directions on the package.

Does birth control stop hair growth?

Spironolactone ( Aldactone ): If birth control doesn't stop hair growth after 6 months, your doctor may prescribe this drug. It lowers the level of a type of sex hormone called androgens.

Does birth control help with acne?

Taking just a hormone called progestin could help get your periods back on track. It doesn't prevent pregnancies or treat unwanted hair growth and acne. But it can lower the chance of uterine cancer.

How do medications help with PCOs?

1, 11 In women with PCOS, these medications can help: Clear acne and reduce hair growth. Improve weight loss. Lower cholesterol levels. Make periods more regular.

What is the pill for PCOs?

Also called birth control pills or "the Pill," hormonal contraceptives can be used for the long-term treatment of women with PCOS who do not wish to become pregnant, 1 and in fact they are the primary treatment for these women. Oral contraceptive pills contain a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin. In women with PCOS, these hormones: 1

How long does it take for a woman to ovulate with PCOs?

Slightly reduce infertility associated with PCOS 12. After 4 to 6 months of using these medications, women with PCOS may start ovulating naturally. 13. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved insulin-sensitizing medications, such as metformin (pronounced met-FAWR-min), specifically for treating PCOS.

What is the first step for women with polycystic ovary syndrome?

In many cases, the first action that health care providers recommend for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is that they make specific lifestyle changes.

What is the best treatment for acne?

Retinoids (pronounced RET-n-oids ), antibac terial agents, and antibiotics may be used to treat acne. These products may be available in pills, creams, or gels. The specific treatment depends on the severity of the acne and how long it has been visible.

How to prevent pregnancy with oral contraceptives?

Reduce excess hair growth. Help clear acne. Because anti-androgens can cause birth defects, they are often taken with oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. 15 Be sure to talk with your health care provider about the risks of these treatments, especially if you want to become pregnant.

What is the treatment for hair follicles?

Electrolysis (pronounced ih-lek-TROL-uh-sis ), laser hair removal, and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy are other options, but they are often expensive and may require multiple treatments. 1 Electrolysis uses an electric current applied to each hair follicle to destroy its root.

What are the treatments for PCOs?

PCOS treatments focus on managing your individual concerns, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne, or obesity. PCOS treatments can include lifestyle changes like healthy eating and losing weight, or in some cases, medications can help. If a woman is not seeking to become pregnant, hormonal birth control (most often birth control pills) ...

What is the best treatment for ovulation?

Letrozole (Femara). Other treatments to stimulate ovulation include another oral medication called letrozole (Femara) and gonadotropins which are hormones that are given by injection. In vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro maturation (IVM) may be other fertility treatment options. Lifestyle changes.

How to stop hair growth in women?

Birth control pills. This is a common treatment to regulate periods and limit excess hair growth and acne by lowering androgen levels and protecting the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) against abnormal cell growth. Regulating your hormones can lower your risk of endometrial cancer.

Is metformin safe for PCOs?

Metformin. Although metformin is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of PCOS, many doctors prescribe it for PCOS patients. Metformin is a medicine that makes the body more sensitive to insulin. This can help lower elevated blood glucose levels, insulin levels, and androgen levels.

What are the complications of polycystic ovary syndrome?

Besides fertility problems, PCOS complications include risk for developing insulin resistance and prediabetes/diabetes, abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels, heart disease, stroke, endometrial cancer (cancer of the inner lining of the uterus), obesity, and sleep apnea.

What is the best treatment for hair loss?

These include the prescription cream eflornithine hydrochloride (Vaniqa), acne products, and cosmetic treatments such as laser therapy and electrolysis. Laser treatments may be used on large areas of the body.

What is OHSS in women?

This condition occurs in women who receive fertility treatments that stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs.

How long does it take for OHSS to go away?

In severe forms, the excess fluid can result in difficulty breathing and decreased urination. OHSS used to occur in about 10% of women who receive in-vitro fertilization treatments, but today the number is less than 5%. When it occurs, OHSS is usually temporary and resolves within 1-2 weeks.

Is PCOS a risk for a baby?

There are some risks for your baby, including premature birth, growing unusually large for the gestational age, miscarriage, or lower Apgar score. If your baby is a girl, there is also a greater chance that she will develop PCOS. You can help ensure your baby’s health and your own health.

Can you have PCOs after pregnancy?

If you’re diagnosed with PCOS, you may need to continue to manage symptoms even after pregnancy. But symptoms and severity can vary. Sometimes the hormonal fluctuations after pregnancy and breastfeeding can change the symptoms, so it may be a while before you settle into your new “normal.”.

Can you get pregnant with PCOs?

PCOS is treatable and many women with PCOS do get pregnant naturally or with the help of fertility treatments. Clomiphene (Clomid) is an oral fertility drug most often recommended, however, some recent research suggests that another oral drug letrozole (Femara) may be as effective.

What are the treatments for PCOs?

Traditional PCOS Solutions 1 1 Hormone treatment: This disorder is characterized by hyperandrogenism, or the presence of too many male hormones. Hormone treatment may be able to inhibit the effects of excess testosterone. As a result, it can combat hirsutism (the excess growth of hair), alopecia (male-pattern baldness), amenorrhea (absent menstrual periods), and oligomenorrhea (irregular menstrual periods). Oral contraceptives are a common form of hormone treatment. 2 Metformin: This pharmaceutical is a diabetes medication that improves Insulin Resistance and can increase ovulation. Be sure to check into the side affects of this drug before use. 3 Clomifene: A fertility drug, Clomifene can balance hormones to improve ovulation and, as a result, enhance fertility. This is a common form of treatment for women who are trying to become pregnant. Be sure to check into the side affects of this drug before use. 4 Eflornithine: A cream, this drug slows the effects of hirsutism. Eflornithine prevents hair follicles from growing hair, slowing unwanted hair growth; however, this does not remove hair or completely prevent its growth. Because of this, many women use Eflornithine in conjunction with hair removal techniques. Be sure to check into the side affects of this drug before use. 5 Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling, or LOD: Although minor, this surgical procedure is often a last resort for women who are fighting this condition. LOD is performed by inserting a laparoscope into an incision in the abdomen. The ovaries are then treated with either heat or a laser.

What is the best diet for PCOs?

Similarly, a PCOS-friendly diet that is high in non-starchy vegetables and limit s fats, sugars, and carbohydrates will manage insulin production. The other thing a women suffering Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) might do is to look into the Insulite All Natural Hormone Solution for PCOS that is available.

How is laparoscopic ovarian drilling done?

LOD is performed by inserting a laparoscope into an incision in the abdomen. The ovaries are then treated with either heat or a laser.

What is the best fertility medicine for women?

Clomifene: A fertility drug, Clomifene can balance hormones to improve ovulation and, as a result, enhance fertility. This is a common form of treatment for women who are trying to become pregnant. Be sure to check into the side affects of this drug before use. Eflornithine: A cream, this drug slows the effects of hirsutism.

Why do women opt for different treatment plans?

Because women experience a variety of symptoms with this condition, they may opt for different treatment plans. Many of the traditional solutions involve pharmaceuticals or surgical procedures and it is recommended that all side affects of these remedies be investigated and understood before selecting an option.

Is PCOs a dangerous symptom?

Because modern medicine is limited in its PCOS treatment options, many women have turned to PCOS alternative treatment, which may include PCOS natural remedies. A healthy lifestyle, including weight loss and diet: Women often gain weight and may become obese after the onset of PCOS. While common, it is a very dangerous symptom because it can make ...

What is PCOS in gynecology?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, male sex hormones that are usually present in women in small amounts.

What is the test for PCOs?

Some of the symptoms of PCOS are like those caused by other health problems. Because of this, you may also have tests such as: Ultrasound. This test uses sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. This test is used to look at the size of the ovaries and see if they have cysts.

How to reduce hair growth in PCOs?

Diabetes medication. This is often used to lower insulin resistance in PCOS. It may also help reduce androgen levels, slow hair growth, and help you ovulate more regularly. A change in diet and activity. A healthy diet and more physical activity can help you lose weight and reduce your symptoms.

How do you know if you have PCOs?

The symptoms of PCOS may include: Missed periods, irregular periods, or very light periods. Ovaries that are large or have many cysts. Excess body hair, including the chest, stomach, and back (hirsutism) Weight gain, especially around the belly (abdomen) Acne or oily skin. Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair.

How to reduce acne and hair growth?

Medications to treat other symptoms. Some medications can help reduce hair growth or acne.

What to do if you don't plan to get pregnant?

It can cause symptoms such as abdominal bloating and pelvic pain. If you do not plan to become pregnant, your treatment may include: Birth control pills. These help to control menstrual cycles, lower androgen levels, and reduce acne. Diabetes medication. This is often used to lower insulin resistance in PCOS.

What are the health problems of PCOs?

These include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, problems with the heart and blood vessels, and uterine cancer. Women with PCOS often have problems with their ability to get pregnant (fertility).

What are the benefits of taking supplements for PCOs?

Supplements claim to help with hormone regulation, insulin resistance, and inflammation associated with PCOS. Supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Speak to your doctor before taking any supplement.

What foods can help with PCOs?

Trusted Source. as low-level chronic inflammation. Adding anti-inflammatory foods to your diet can help ease your symptoms. Consider the Mediterranean diet as an option. Olive oil, tomatoes, leafy greens, fatty fish like mackerel and tuna, and tree nuts all fight inflammation.

How to manage menstrual cycle?

Diet changes. Eating the right foods and avoiding certain ingredients may help you manage your symptoms. A nourishing diet can help regulate your hormones and your menstrual cycle. Eating processed, heavily preserved foods can contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance.

What is the best vitamin for PCOs?

Combined vitamin D and calcium. Vitamin D is a hormone that’s vital to your endocrine system. Vitamin D deficiency is common. Trusted Source. in women with PCOS. Vitamin D and calcium may improve. Trusted Source. irregular periods and help you ovulate.

Can PCOs cause heavy bleeding?

Some women with PCOS experience heavy bleeding during their period. This can result in iron deficiency or anemia. If your doctor has diagnosed you with either condition, talk with them about how you can up your iron intake. They may recommend adding iron-rich foods such as spinach, eggs, and broccoli to your diet.

Can PCOs cause weight gain?

weight gain. Researchers say. Trusted Source. the causes of PCOS are complicated, but insulin resistance and hormone regulation are key factors. You may be able to manage these factors and ease your symptoms through lifestyle changes and dietary supplements, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment.