The right treatments can help you manage PCOS and welcome a baby
If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, you’re far from alone. Also known as polycystic ovary syndrome, this condition is one of the most common causes of female infertility. It also affects 6% to 12% of U.S. women of reproductive age. While this condition can cause infertility and unpleasant symptoms, The Fertility Center of Las Vegas (FCLV) offers hope. Our Las Vegas infertility specialists offer diagnosis and treatments to help women manage this condition and become mothers.
What is polycystic ovary syndrome?
The exact cause of this condition is unclear. However, we do know that it causes the ovaries to produce an abnormal amount of androgens, which only occur in small amounts in other women. This hormonal imbalance we see in women with PCOS can cause several symptoms.
- Missed or irregular periods and ovulation
- Enlarged ovaries that contain multiple cysts
- Excess body and facial hair
- Thinning hair on the head
- Weight gain, particularly around the abdomen
- Skin tags on the neck or in the armpits
- Acne-prone or oily skin
- Dark patches of thick skin
Because this condition can cause irregular or absent ovulation, infertility is a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome. Additionally, this condition can cause problems like insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems and obesity. However, with the proper diagnosis, treatment and management, our Las Vegas infertility specialists can help you feel better and conceive.
How do doctors diagnose and treat PCOS?
To receive a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome, you will need to have two out of these three symptoms.
- Irregular or absent periods
- Multiple ovarian cysts appearing on ultrasound
- High levels of androgens either resulting in acne or hair growth, or appearing on your blood test results
Once you have a PCOS diagnosis, our Las Vegas infertility specialists will start discussing your treatment options.
If you want to conceive in the near future, your doctor will consider your body mass index (BMI). Not all women with this condition are overweight. However, if you are overweight or obese, losing weight through diet changes and exercise can improve your symptoms and fertility. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to help you conceive, your doctor may recommend medications to help you ovulate. You may use these medications in conjunction with timed intercourse or with treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
If you don’t want to conceive right now, making changes to your diet and activity level can still be beneficial. However, your doctor may also prescribe birth control pills to control your menstrual cycle and androgen level. If you have insulin resistance, your doctor may also prescribe diabetes medications like Metformin.
Rely on FCLV to help you overcome polycystic ovary syndrome
Our Las Vegas infertility specialists realize that each patient with PCOS is unique, so we will review your test results to create a customized treatment plan for you. Contact us to schedule an appointment and learn how you can get this condition under control and welcome a baby.
