Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment options for pcos

by Dovie Stroman Published 2 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

Your doctor might then recommend:

  • A pelvic exam. The doctor visually and manually inspects your reproductive organs for masses, growths or other abnormalities.
  • Blood tests. Your blood may be analyzed to measure hormone levels. ...
  • An ultrasound. Your doctor checks the appearance of your ovaries and the thickness of the lining of your uterus. ...

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

Unfortunately, there is no cure for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A big reason why is that researchers still aren’t quite sure exactly what causes it. While a quick internet search will point you to many sites that tout a cure for PCOS, it's important to know that one has not been scientifically confirmed.

Which is the best treatment for PCOS?

What diet is best for someone with PCOS?

How to cure PCOS permanently at home?

Are there any cures for PCOS?

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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.

What is the first line treatment for PCOS?

Summary. Letrozole should be considered the first line pharmacological treatment of choice for ovulation induction in anovulatory women with PCOS and no other infertility factors, as it is superior to placebo or no treatment, metformin, clomiphene citrate and clomiphene citrate combined with metformin.

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.

Is treatment necessary for PCOS?

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.

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 age is PCOS diagnosed?

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.

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 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.

How can I reduce my PCOS fast?

How to Lose Weight With PCOS: 13 Helpful TipsReduce Your Carb Intake. Lowering your carb consumption may help manage PCOS due to carbs' impact on insulin levels. ... Get Plenty of Fiber. ... Eat Enough Protein. ... Eat Healthy Fats. ... Eat Fermented Foods. ... Practice Mindful Eating. ... Limit Processed Foods and Added Sugars. ... Reduce Inflammation.More items...•

How can I solve PCOS naturally?

30 Natural Ways to Help Treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)Diet changes.Supplements.Herbs.Probiotics.Healthy weight.Regular exercise.Sleep hygiene.Stress management.More items...

Can polycystic ovaries go away?

There's no cure for PCOS, but the symptoms can be treated. Speak to a GP if you think you may have the condition. If you have PCOS and you're overweight, losing weight and eating a healthy, balanced diet can make some symptoms better.

What is PCOS treatment?

PCOS treatment focuses on managing your individual concerns, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne or obesity. Specific treatment might involve lifestyle changes or medication.

How to reduce PCOs?

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. Ask your doctor about a weight-control program, and meet regularly with a dietitian for help in reaching weight-loss goals. Limit carbohydrates.

How to regulate your menstrual cycle?

To regulate your menstrual cycle, your doctor might recommend: Combination birth control pills. Pills that contain estrogen and progestin decrease androgen production and regulate estrogen. Regulating your hormones can lower your risk of endometrial cancer and correct abnormal bleeding, excess hair growth and acne.

What tests are done to determine if you have PCOs?

Blood tests . Your blood may be analyzed to measure hormone levels. This testing can exclude possible causes of menstrual abnormalities or androgen excess that mimics PCOS. You might have additional blood testing to measure glucose tolerance and fasting cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Can a doctor diagnose PCOs?

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 might then recommend:

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 much weight loss can help with PCOs?

Losing weight and being more physically active can minimize many PCOS symptoms and related conditions. Even a 5% weight loss can improve many symptoms of PCOS. 3

Can you take oral contraceptives with PCOs?

9 There is no one oral contraceptive that works best for women with PCOS, but those that are less androgenic are more effective at treating the symptoms of PCOS. 10 Please note that oral contraceptives, like all medications, are associated with some level of risk for side effects, some of them serious. Discuss all possible risks and side effects with your health care provider before making a final decision on a treatment.

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 are the best supplements for PCOs?

Researchers are studying the effectiveness of such treatments. Popular treatments include cinnamon, Myo-inositol, vitamin D, B complex vitamins , and acupuncture . We hope to share and explain the evidence for these and other treatments as well as research findings as they develop.

What is the best medication for ovulation?

Clomiphene (Clomid). This is an oral medication that is the most common treatment used to induce ovulation. The use of both metformin and clomiphene has about the same fertility results as clomi phene used alone. A benefit is that metformin may help reduce the risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (see also "What is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome?”) during assisted reproductive technology (ART) fertility treatments.

Why is it important to talk to your doctor about PCOS?

Because the severity of PCOS can vary from person to person , treatment plans are highly individual. It’s extremely important to talk to your doctor about all potential treatment options. Remember to consider factors such as cost, desire to have children in the future, regular periods versus irregular bleeding, and effectiveness at preventing pregnancy if you’re not trying to conceive right now.

How to lose weight with PCOs?

Lifestyle changes. Your doctor may recommend weight loss through a low-calorie diet combined with moderate exercise activities. Lifestyle measures to achieve a weight loss of 5%-10% in overweight women can help regulate ovulation and periods. Although the basic approach of nutrition is needed, it can be more challenging to lose weight and maintain weight loss with PCOS. Dr. Dunaif from Northwestern is very encouraged that even “a little bit of weight reduction and exercise can improve insulin sensitivity.”

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.

What is the best treatment for hair loss?

Prescription creams. Treatments targeting the skin or hair more directly are also available to help with hair problems. These include the pre scription cream eflornithine hydrochloride (Vaniqa), acne products, and cosmetic treatments such as laser therapy and electrolysis. Vitamins.

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.

What is the treatment for hyperandrogenism?

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.

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.

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.

Does metformin increase ovulation?

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.

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 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 medications can help with OHSS?

These include low-dose aspirin; dopamine agonists such as cabergoline or quinagolide, and calcium infusions. Giving women who have polycystic ovary syndrome, the drug metformin during ovarian stimulation may also help prevent hyperstimulation.

What are the complications of ovarian hyperstimulation?

Serious complications from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may require additional treatments, such as surgery for a ruptured ovarian cyst or intensive care for liver or lung complications. You may also need anticoagulant medications to decrease the risk of blood clots in your legs.

Can you use leuprolide to prevent OHSS?

Because OHSS often develops after an HCG trigger shot is given, alternatives to HCG for triggering have been developed using Gn-RH agonists, such as leuprolide (Lupron), as a way to prevent or limit OHSS.

Can you continue your day to day routine with ovarian hyperstimulation?

If you develop mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, you'll probably be able to continue your day-to-day routine with these recommendations. However, always contact your doctor for any specific concerns or advice.

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 treatment options for PCOS?

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

Why do people with PCOs have no ovulation?

In patients with PCOS, there is an abnormal or absence of ovulation due to disrupted hormonal levels. The ova secreted then form fluid-filled cysts within the ovaries and secrete androgen (male hormone), leading to the development of man-like presentations of the disease.

What is the name of the hormonal disorder that causes irregular periods?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known by the name Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a hormonal problem that causes women to have a variety of symptoms including irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, obesity, and excess hair growth. Treatment of PCOS depends partially on the woman's stage of life and the symptoms of PCOS.

What is the name of the disorder that causes multiple cysts in the ovaries?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome ( PCOS) is a hormonal disorder commonly seen in young women. In PCOS, there is the formation of multiple cysts inside the ovaries leading to various complications in the body.

How to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome?

The diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can be most accurately made by a doctor who will examine you and order certain blood tests and other investigations. The symptoms of PCOS may or may not be definitive at times.

What is an ovarian cyst?

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled growths that grow on the ovary. Learn the signs of an ovarian cyst, what causes ovarian cysts, how doctors diagnose ovarian cysts, and what you can do to treat an ovarian cyst.

How to control androgen levels in the body?

Regular exercise and meditation: These keep a check on the adipose tissue and androgen levels in the body. Meditation helps in stress management, which also corrects hormonal imbalances.

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.

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.

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.

Is there a one size fits all approach to PCOs?

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.

Does green tea help with PCOs?

And if you can’ t go without a caffeine boost, reach for green tea instead. Green tea has been shown to improve insulin resistance. It can also help with weight management in women with PCOS.

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.

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Diagnosis

Treatment

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Preparing For Your Appointment

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.

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