If You Know, You Know
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS. If you have it, or know someone who does, you understand how debilitating this condition can be. It’s a condition that affects women’s health in many ways, some seen and some unseen, but all challenging to manage and live with.
What Is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, like most syndromes, is a collection of symptoms that point to an underlying condition. In the case of PCOS, the underlying or root cause is a hormonal imbalance in which the ovaries produce too high a level of androgens, which are associated with the development of male sex characteristics, and not enough estrogen, which causes the development of female sex characteristics. PCOS is often misdiagnosed and isn’t well understood by the medical community at large. As a syndrome, individual symptoms may seem unrelated and even unremarkable, but, collectively, they point to an imbalance that can lead to serious medical complications.
Symptoms of PCOS
Symptoms of PCOS include:
- Menstrual irregularities (irregular or infrequent menses)
- Fertility problems
- Ovarian cysts
- Gaining weight very easily
- Difficulty losing weight
- Acne
- Hirsutism (excessive facial and body hair)
- Thinning hair
Many women and medical professionals alike don’t understand PCOS well, making it difficult to diagnose. The outward symptoms of it – weight, acne, excessive hair growth on the face and body, and thinning hair – can be embarrassing. Women often don’t talk about them let alone believe they have a medical condition.
Left untreated, PCOS can lead to very serious health complications, including:
- Insulin resistance (occurs when the body can’t synthesize insulin properly)
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Increased risk of heart disease or heart attack
- Endometrial hyperplasia (a precursor to endometrial cancer)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sleep apnea
Needless to say, PCOS is a life-altering syndrome that needs to be managed.
Treatment Options
While PCOS and its management are complicated, there are ways to lessen its effects. Some treatment options are:
- Birth control pills or an IUD for those not trying to conceive
- Medication to create greater sensitivity to insulin
- Treatment for individual symptoms like retinoids or antibiotics to clear up acne
- Medication to try to regulate the menstrual cycle for those trying to conceive
- Hair removal methods including shaving, waxing, or laser hair removal therapy
One of the most effective treatments for PCOS is weight loss, which is even more challenging than for someone without PCOS.
GLP-1 Medications and PCOS
One of the most effective weight loss tools at our disposal are GLP-1 medications, such as semagltutide and tirzepatide. These medications are very effective in managing blood sugar levels and have been found to reduce appetite and increase feelings of satiety, decreasing the number of calories consumed and enabling weight loss. Two commonly prescribed GLP-1 medications, semaglutide and tirzepatide, are extremely effective in aiding weight loss, which is one of the primary components of successfully managing PCOS symptoms.
Nicety Wellness & Weight Loss
If you suffer from PCOS and live in Louisiana, Florida, Arizona, Oregon, or Nebraska, Nicety Wellness & Weight Loss can assist you with a medically supervised weight loss plan and provide supplement recommendation. Our appointments are all telehealth visits, allowing you to receive treatment conveniently and privately from wherever you’re comfortable. We provide compassionate care and can help you achieve your best health. Contact us for more information.
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.
