A 20-year-old member asked:
what is polycystic ovary syndrome?
3 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in
Dr. Neelam Shah answered
Internal Medicine and Pediatrics 73 years experience
Hormonal imbalance: Pcos is a hormonal imbalance often associated with cysts in ovaries. It is seen more commonly in people who are overweight/obese and can include changes like lack of periods, decreased breast size, acne, and excess hair growth. If your doctor suspects it, s/he will start with a variety of blood tests to check your hormonal levels.
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Dr. Jill Carnahan answered
Specializes in Family Medicine
PCOS: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is diagnosed when a patient presents with cysts on ovaries, evidence of excess androgens (excessive hair growth or acne) and irregular menstrual cycles. Women with pcos usually have elevated testosterone levels and abnormal Insulin levels both of which drive the clinical findings. It can be effectively controlled with a low-glycemic diet, weight loss, exercise, meds.
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Dr. Allen Seely commented
General Practice 31 years experience
see also mayoclinic.com article
Feb 18, 2012
Dr. Dennis Higginbotham commented
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
First line treatment for the menstrual irrregularity due to PCOS is cycle control with birth control pills (BCP's), second choice would be cyclic progesterone therapy for someone who can't or won't take BCP's.
Feb 19, 2012
A Verified Doctor answered
A US doctor answered Learn more
Mixed bag: Pcos is a constellation of findings which includes irregular periods, elevated testosterone or testosterone like hormones (with no other cause), resistance to Insulin (predisposition to type 2 diabetes), problems with lipids, many times unwanted face and body hair, sometimes scalp hair loss. Ovarian cysts may or may not be found. Pcos is an outdated term but no better one has been agreed upon.
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Similar questions
A 21-year-old member asked:
What are the causes of polycystic ovary syndrome?
2 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in
Dr. Megan Bird answered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 19 years experience
We don't know: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a collection of problems that tend to occur together: lots of little cysts on the ovary, irregular menstrual cycles and problems with extra hormones. Unfortunately, we just don't know what comes first or what causes what.
6102 views
Dr. Maureen Mays commented
Specializes in Clinical Lipidology
PCOS is much more common in women with a family history of Type-II Diabetes (the adult kind) and it is more common in women who tend to carry their extra weight in the middle (on the belly rather than in the butt/thighs). PCOS appears to be a form of insulin resistance. Anyone with a family history of diabetes should exercise regularly and eat healthy. Try to avoid being overweight.
Mar 25, 2012
A 38-year-old member asked:
Polycystic ovary syndrome or disease. Which is it?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. David Doucette answered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 39 years experience
Syndrome: It is more correct to call it a syndrome. It has 4 major aspects-increased male hormones, lack of ovulation, ovaries with multiple cysts, and absence of other male hormone or prolactin disorders. It probably has multiple potential causes all leading to a common pathway.
5748 views
A 30-year-old member asked:
What exactly is polycystic ovary syndrome?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Michael Opsahl answered
Fertility Medicine 43 years experience
A hormone disorder: Pcos is a syndrome or disorder in which women have 2 of 3 of the following: irregular cycles, multi-cystic ovaries, or excess androgens ("male" hormone levels). Pcos has no specific cause but it is associated with obesity, some heredity, and Insulin resistance (also seen in type 2 diabetes). Treatment can help with ovulation, fertility and cosmetics. Hope this helps.
5732 views
A 37-year-old member asked:
What to do about polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Jesse Krakauer answered
Endocrinology 45 years experience
? coincidence: B"sd
Depends on the symptoms which vary for different patients. In some cases no symptoms, others have absent menses, male hormone sx's such as acne, hair growth, severe weight problems, diabetes, hypertension, mood disturbances etc. There are many different kinds of PCOS and the best treatment depends on the individual hormone situation. Just decreased my rates, for detailed attention!
1552 views
TX
A member asked:
Is polycystic ovary syndrome treatable?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A Verified Doctor answered
A US doctor answered Learn more
Somewhat: Hi. Standard treatments for PCOS include BCPs with a low-androgenic progestin, metformin, and spironolactone in various combinations. PCOS increases type 2 diabetes risk, and metformin helps with that too. When fertility is desired, in addition to stopping BCPs, an agent such as clomiphene may be needed as well. As the underlying cause(s) is/are incompletely understood, we still have a way to go.
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Last updated Aug 25, 2018
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