Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for.pcos

by Jon Kassulke PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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A medicine called clomifene is usually the first treatment recommended for women with PCOS who are trying to get pregnant. Clomifene encourages the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation). If clomifene is unsuccessful in encouraging ovulation, another medicine called metformin may be recommended.

Medication

The severity of side effects can be reduced by gradual administration of metformin and titrating the dose increase guided by the severity of symptoms. A start dose of 500 mg daily during the main meal of the day for 1–2 weeks can lessen the side effects and allow tolerance to develop.

Procedures

The Best Foods for PCOS Include:

  • Grass-fed meat and pasture-raised poultry
  • Cold Water Fish
  • Healthy fats
  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Seeds and nuts

Self-care

To help decrease the effects of PCOS, try to:

  • Maintain a healthy weight. Weight loss can reduce insulin and androgen levels and may restore ovulation. ...
  • Limit carbohydrates. Low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets might increase insulin levels. Ask your doctor about a low-carbohydrate diet if you have PCOS. ...
  • Be active. Exercise helps lower blood sugar levels. ...

Nutrition

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.

How long can the treatment take for PCOS?

What diet is best for someone with PCOS?

How to cure PCOS permanently at home?

What is PCOS and can it be cured?

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What is the most effective treatment for PCOS?

Insulin-sensitizing agents are indicated for most women with PCOS because they have positive effects on insulin resistance, menstrual irregularities, anovulation, hirsutism, and obesity. Of all the drugs used to treat manifestations of PCOS, metformin (Glucophage) has the most data supporting its effectiveness.

Can you cure PCOS permanently?

While PCOS cannot be cured permanently, there are ways to reduce symptoms or keep PCOS in control. Doctors might recommend medications like birth control pills and progestin therapy to regulate periods and reduce PCOS symptoms and in few cases Diaetic medication to reduce Insulin resistance.

What is the standard treatment for PCOS?

Some of the most common treatments used for chronic management of PCOS include hormonal contraceptives, progestins and metformin. Treatment of infertility focuses on ovulation induction therapies which may involve drugs such as letrozole or clomiphene or gonadotropin therapy.

What is the main cause of PCOS?

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. There is evidence that genetics play a role. Several other factors also play a role in causing PCOS: Higher levels of male hormones called androgens: High androgen levels prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation), which causes irregular menstrual cycles.

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.

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.

Is PCOS a serious problem?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS is a common health condition affecting women of childbearing age. It is not a life-threatening or dangerous condition. It can, however, lead to various serious diseases, such as: Diabetes.

What should be avoided in PCOS?

Women suffering from PCOS should avoid the following foods:Sugary drinks.Fried foods.Processed meats (ex. sausages, hamburgers, and hot dogs)Refined Carbohydrates (ex. white bread, pasta, and pastries)Processed food (ex. cakes, candy, sweetened yogurt, ice creams with excess sugar)

Can PCOS be cured by losing weight?

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.

At what age PCOS starts?

It's common for women to find out they have PCOS when they have trouble getting pregnant, but it often begins soon after the first menstrual period, as young as age 11 or 12. It can also develop in the 20s or 30s.

How is PCOS confirmed?

There's no single test for it, but a physical exam, ultrasound, and blood tests can help diagnose PCOS. You need to meet 2 of these 3 "official" criteria to be diagnosed: Irregular, heavy, or missed periods due to missed ovulation—the release of an egg from your ovaries.

What happens if PCOS is left untreated?

PCOS can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, infertility, and weight gain. Women with PCOS may be at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, and endometrial cancer.

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.

Can a doctor prescribe medication for weight loss?

When a healthy diet and regular exercise aren't enough, medications can make losing weight easier. Different drugs work in different ways. Your doctor will prescribe the medication they think will be the most successful for you. Options include:

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 is PCOS treatment?

Individualized PCOS Treatments. 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.

Why do women have PCOs?

Women with PCOS are more likely to have a mother or sister with PCOS. A main underlying problem with PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. In women with PCOS, the ovaries make more androgens than normal.

What is the name of the cysts that form on the outer surface of the ovary?

Ovarian cysts can also be related to endometriosis, or formed from the outer surface of the ovary (cystadenomas), or formed with non-ovarian tissue (dermoid cysts). Dermoid cysts come from cells present from birth. Because these cysts form from embryonic cells, they can contain tissue such as hair, skin, or teeth.

How long does it take for a cyst to heal?

Ovarian cysts do not always require treatment and often resolve on their own within one to three months. In postmenopausal women, ovarian cysts are less likely to resolve. If a cyst is large, causing pain, or appears suspicious for cancer, treatment could involve surgery to remove the cyst or the entire ovary.

How to tell if you have PCOs?

Your doctor will take the following steps to find out if you have PCOS or if something else is causing your symptoms: Medical history. Your doctor will ask about your menstrual periods, weight changes, and other symptoms. Physical exam.

What percentage of women with PCOs have diabetes?

More than 50 percent of women with PCOS will have diabetes or pre-diabetes (impaired glucose tolerance) before the age of 40. The risk of heart attack is 4 to 7 times higher in women with PCOS than women of the same age without PCOS. Women with PCOS are at greater risk of having high blood pressure.

Why do women with PCOs have too much insulin?

Many women with PCOS have too much insulin in their bodies because they have problems using it . Excess insulin appears to increase the production of androgens.

What are the treatment options for PCOS?

Treatment options for the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) include the following:

Top What Is the Most Effective Treatment for PCOS Related Articles

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled, sac-like structures within an ovary. Symptoms of an ovarian cysts may be:

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Medical uses

Prevention

Treatment

Prognosis

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Khutaija Bano
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
PCOS treatment focuses on managing individual concerns, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne or obesity. Specific treatment might involve lifestyle changes or medication.
Medication

Birth control pills: These pills alleviate pain, regulate menstrual cycle reduce level of male hormones like testosterone.

Drospirenone


Anti-androgens: These drugs bring down level of androgen, which leads to excessive hair growth and acne.

Spironolactone


Fertility drugs: Quite conducive for administrating and expediting ovulation among women who are facing fertility issues due to PCOD.

Clomiphene citrate

Procedures

Laparoscopic ovarian cauterization/Ovarian drilling/LEOS (laparoscopic electro-cauterization of ovarian stroma): Destroys abnormal ovarian tissue and helps to restore normal ovarian function and aiding in induction of ovum production.

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

Lose weight by exercising regularly and having a healthy, balanced diet.

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Eat a healthy diet, balanced and low–sugar diet
  • Eat a diet high in fiber
  • Eat essential fatty acids

Foods to avoid:

  • NA

Specialist to consult

Endocrinologist
Specializes in the function and disorders of the endocrine system of the body.
Gynecologist
Specializes in the health of the female reproductive systems and breasts.

Risks

  • There's no test to definitively diagnose PCOS. Your doctor is likely to start with a discussion of your medical history, including your menstrual periods and weight changes. A physical exam will include checking for signs of excess hair growth, insulin resistance and acne. Your doctor migh…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Goals

Diagnosis

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