Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Solutions and Treatment

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age.

It is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder that is hereditary. However, it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. For example, PCOS often runs in families, so there is a genetic predisposition for the condition. In addition, insulin resistance has been linked to PCOS. Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, which is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. When insulin resistance occurs, the body produces more insulin to try to compensate. This can lead to an increase in androgen production, which can then cause the development of PCOS symptoms.

There are many factors that affect the severity of PCOS symtoms but the cause is genetic. It is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The most common theory is that it is caused by an imbalance of the hormones insulin and testosterone. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use sugar for energy. Testosterone is a hormone that is important for male development and reproduction. Women also have small amounts of testosterone in their bodies. An imbalance of these hormones can lead to the development of PCOS symptoms. 

There are several risk factors for PCOS, including family history, obesity, and insulin resistance. Women who have a mother or sister with PCOS are more likely to develop the condition themselves. Obesity increases the risk of PCOS because it can cause insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when the body does not respond properly to insulin. This can lead to high levels of insulin in the blood, which can increase the production of testosterone.

There are many factors that affect the severity of PCOS symtoms but the cause is genetic. It is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The most common theory is that it is caused by an imbalance of the hormones insulin and testosterone. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use sugar for energy. Testosterone is a hormone that is important for male development and reproduction. Women also have small amounts of testosterone in their bodies. An imbalance of these hormones can lead to the development of PCOS symptoms.

There are several risk factors for PCOS, including family history, obesity, and insulin resistance. Women who have a mother or sister with PCOS are more likely to develop the condition themselves. Obesity increases the risk of PCOS because it can cause insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when the body does not respond properly to insulin. This can lead to high levels of insulin in the blood, which can increase the production of testosterone.

The symptoms of PCOS can vary from woman to woman. However, the most common symptoms include: 

1. Irregular menstrual periods: Women with PCOS may have infrequent periods (fewer than nine per year), prolonged periods (longer than seven days), or no periods at all. 
2. Excess hair growth: Women with PCOS may experience excess hair growth on the face, chest, back, or buttocks. This condition is called hirsutism. 
3. Acne: Acne is a common symptom of PCOS, especially on the face, chest, and back. 
4. Weight gain: Women with PCOS may have difficulty losing weight or may notice sudden weight gain. 
5. Fertility problems: Women with PCOS may have difficulty getting pregnant due to irregular ovulation or ovulation that does not occur at all. 
6. Male pattern baldness: Women with PCOS may experience thinning hair on the scalp. 
7. Depression and anxiety: Women with PCOS may suffer from depression and anxiety due to the physical and emotional effects of the condition. 

There is no cure for PCOS, but there are treatments available that can help manage the symptoms. It is possible to reduce the risk of damage caused by PCOS by adopting lifestyle changes to reduce insulin resistance such as increasing activity levels, improving dietary habits, supplementing thyroid and progesterone and managing insulin resistance with drugs such as metformin and spironolactone.

The goal with treating PCOS is lowering insulin resistance. This is accomplished with medication and hormone therapy, but lifestyle changes can also help manage the symptoms.

Diet and Exercise

One of the most important things you can do to manage PCOS is to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can make the symptoms of PCOS worse, so it’s important to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise. A combination of diet and exercise is often the most effective way to lose weight. If you’re having trouble losing weight on your own, consider working with a registered dietitian or certified personal trainer.

There are also some specific dietary changes that can help manage PCOS. For example, reducing your intake of sugar and refined carbs can help regulate insulin levels. And increasing your intake of fiber may help reduce inflammation. Good sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans.

The key to effective treatment and reducing long term consequences of PCOS is early diagnosis and lifestyle changes aimed at increasing insulin sensitivity.

Once you have been diagnosed with PCOS, your doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan that meets your unique needs. Tier1 Health & Wellness treats women with PCOS using the following methods:

1. Insulin sensitizers like metformin
2. Optimize progesterone
3. Optimize thyroid
4. The use of spironolactone
5. Lifestyle changes and dietary modifications

Medical therapies for PCOS can be divided into two main categories: hormonal and non-hormonal. 

Non-hormonal therapies for PCOS include lifestyle changes such as weight loss, diet modification, and exercise. 

Hormone therapy for PCOS involves taking bioidentical hormones. The most common type of hormone therapy for PCOS is birth control pills, which we do not recommend. Birth control pills contain synthetic progestin which have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. PCOS patients are already at risk for breast cancer, so we would never want to increase that risk. At Tier1 Health & Wellness we use bioidentical progesterone, the chemical structure is identical to what the body makes on its own. 

If you are hoping to become pregnant, weight loss can restore ovulation and make your menstrual cycles more normal, which can improve your chances of pregnancy. In order to restore ovulation we need to first fix insulin sensitivity. We use metformin to lower insulin resistance and facilitate weight loss.

Women with PCOS have higher-than-normal levels of androgens, leading to excess hair growth. Spironolactone can be used to reduce hirsutism and reduce acne. It also lowers inflammatory cytokines (as a result of obesity that occurs in some women with PCOS) which can have a devastating effect on cardiovascular health.

Most experts now agree and understand that PCOS is the result of insulin resistance and genetics. Although there is not a cure for PCOS, with proper management symptoms may be reduced and diseases associated with it prevented. It is critical for PCOS to be treated properly in order to prevent long term complications and improve patients’ quality of life. If left untreated or under treated PCOS will likely lead to the following: 

Type 2 Diabetes

• Cardiovascular Disease
• Infertility
• miscarriages
• depression
• mood disorders
• endometrial, breast and other cancers
• Acne
• unwanted hair growth
• obesity

With proper treatment, most women will see some improvement within 3-6 months of starting treatment.