Is polycystic ovarian disease curable?

Sometimes: Polycystic ovaries is not a disease, it is a syndrome because there are many different conditions that can contribute to developing polycystic ovaries. One of these, excessive weight gain, can be reversed with life style changes. However, because it is known that Insulin stimulates the ovaries to make testosterone and this can lead to cystic ovaries, a low carb diet is most likely to help.

Yes if: If no identifiable cause is known (such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia if which no cure but treatment exist), then yes, it's possible to "out grow" pcos if lifestyle changes, weight loss if obesity is coexisting, and a period of adherence to appropriate medications if warranted.

Wt loss can help: The classic triad of symptoms from pcos is hirsuitism (abnormal hair growth related to high testosterone), anovulation (lots of small ovarian follicles but none of them matures to make an egg which ovulates) and obesity (related to Insulin resistance.) pcos can be treated with birth control pills, laser hair removal, metformin (to decr Insulin resistance) and weight loss. Carb counting can help.

Controllable: Pcos is a genetic syndrome that involves elevated LH over FSH levels, and elevated Insulin levels to manage simples sugars (breads, pasta, potatoes). Two of the following three criteria need to be met to make the diagnosis: chain of pearls on ovaries by ultrasound, irregular ovulation, and elevated male hormones demonstrated by lab values or increase in hair growth or acne. Medications control.

Can be controlled: To have the diagnoses of pcos you need to have androgen excess (increased hair growth, elevated testosterone or acne) irregular menstrual cycles and/or pcos appearing ovaries by ultrasound (you just need 2 of these 3 criteria to be diagnosed). The symptoms can be controlled with weight loss, cutting carbs, and medical therapy (ocps, metformin etc), but its not curable.

Cure-NO, Control-Yes: Low glycemic diet, smaller meals with appropriate fats, omega-3's and polyunsaturated fats, fish oil supplements may be helpful. Resistance training to build muscle mass is a more effective tool than aerobics. The more muscle mass you build, the less Insulin will be needed to clear glucose from the circulation. I'd suggest limiting aerobics to 20 minutes three or four times/week.

Not a disease: Polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos) is a diagnosis of exclusion and is comprised of findings which include few periods, high testosterone or testosterone-like hormones, many females have unwanted body hair, many have multiple ovarian cysts. Females with pcos also often have Insulin resistance with a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. These problems may be controlled but no cure exists.

It is manageable: Unfortunately, there is no known cause of pcos. It is probably genetic that expresses itself in mild-moderate and severe forms. Controlling the symptoms with weight loss-exercise-medines can control the severe forms that can lead to heart disease and diabetes.