How is pcos treated

Blood tests check your androgen hormone levels, sometimes called "male hormones. Your doctor may also test your cholesterol levels and test you for diabetes. Once other conditions are ruled out, you may be diagnosed with PCOS if you have at least two of the following symptoms: 5 Irregular periods, including periods that come too often, not often enough, or not at all Signs that you have high levels of androgens: Extra hair growth on your face, chin, and body hirsutism Acne Thinning of scalp hair Higher than normal blood levels of androgens Multiple cysts on one or both ovaries.

How is PCOS treated? Many women will need a combination of treatments, including: Steps you can take at home to help relieve your symptoms Medicines. Healthy eating habits and regular physical activity can help relieve PCOS-related symptoms.

Losing weight may help to lower your blood glucose levels, improve the way your body uses insulin, and help your hormones reach normal levels. Removing hair. You can try facial hair removal creams, laser hair removal, or electrolysis to remove excess hair. You can find hair removal creams and products at drugstores. Procedures like laser hair removal or electrolysis must be done by a doctor and may not be covered by health insurance.

Slowing hair growth. A prescription skin treatment eflornithine HCl cream can help slow down the growth rate of new hair in unwanted places. What types of medicines treat PCOS? The types of medicines that treat PCOS and its symptoms include: Hormonal birth control, including the pill, patch, shot, vaginal ring, and hormone intrauterine device IUD. For women who don't want to get pregnant, hormonal birth control can: Make your menstrual cycle more regular Lower your risk of endometrial cancer Help improve acne and reduce extra hair on the face and body Ask your doctor about birth control with both estrogen and progesterone.

Anti-androgen medicines. These medicines block the effect of androgens and can help reduce scalp hair loss, facial and body hair growth, and acne. These medicines can also cause problems during pregnancy. Metformin is often used to treat type 2 diabetes and may help some women with PCOS symptoms. Metformin improves insulin's ability to lower your blood sugar and can lower both insulin and androgen levels.

After a few months of use, metformin may help restart ovulation, but it usually has little effect on acne and extra hair on the face or body.

Recent research shows that metformin may have other positive effects, including lowering body mass and improving cholesterol levels. If you have overweight or obesity, losing weight through healthy eating and regular physical activity can help make your menstrual cycle more regular and improve your fertility. Find a personalized healthy eating plan using the MyPlate Plan tool. After ruling out other causes of infertility in you and your partner, your doctor might prescribe medicine to help you ovulate, such as clomiphene Clomid.

In vitro fertilization IVF. IVF may be an option if medicine does not work. In IVF, your egg is fertilized with your partner's sperm in a laboratory and then placed in your uterus to implant and develop. Compared to medicine alone, IVF has higher pregnancy rates and better control over your risk of having twins and triplets by allowing your doctor to transfer a single fertilized egg into your uterus.

Surgery is also an option, usually only if the other options do not work. The outer shell called the cortex of ovaries is thickened in women with PCOS and thought to play a role in preventing spontaneous ovulation.

Ovarian drilling is a surgery in which the doctor makes a few holes in the surface of your ovary using lasers or a fine needle heated with electricity. Surgery usually restores ovulation, but only for 6 to 8 months. How does PCOS affect pregnancy? You can lower your risk of problems during pregnancy by: Reaching a healthy weight before you get pregnant.

Use this interactive tool to see your healthy weight before pregnancy and what to gain during pregnancy. Reaching healthy blood sugar levels before you get pregnant. You can do this through a combination of healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, weight loss, and medicines such as metformin.

Taking folic acid. Talk to your doctor about how much folic acid you need. What is the latest research on PCOS? Researchers continue to search for new ways to treat PCOS. Did we answer your question about PCOS? Sources Trivax, B. Diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 50 1 , — Bremer, A. Polycystic ovary syndrome in the pediatric population. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, 8 5 , — Medications to treat other symptoms.

Some medications can help reduce hair growth or acne. Women with PCOS are more likely to develop certain serious health problems. These include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, problems with the heart and blood vessels, and uterine cancer. Women with PCOS often have problems with their ability to get pregnant fertility.

Some women struggle with the physical symptoms of PCOS, such as weight gain, hair growth, and acne. Cosmetic treatments, such as electrolysis and laser hair removal, may help you feel better about your appearance. Talk with your health care provider about the best ways to treat the symptoms that bother you. If you have missed or irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, and weight gain, call your doctor for an evaluation. Women with PCOS may not ovulate, have high levels of androgens, and have many small cysts on the ovaries.

PCOS can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, infertility, and weight gain. Women with PCOS may be at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, and endometrial cancer. The types of treatment for PCOS may depend on whether or not a woman plans to become pregnant.

Women who plan to become pregnant in the future may take different kinds of medications. At the visit, write down the names of new medicines, treatments, or tests, and any new instructions your provider gives you. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What causes PCOS? PCOS may also run in families.

It's common for sisters or a mother and daughter to have PCOS. What are the risks for PCOS? You may be more likely to have PCOS if your mother or sister has it. You may also be more likely to have it if you have insulin resistance or are obese.

What are the symptoms of PCOS? The symptoms of PCOS may include: Missed periods, irregular periods, or very light periods Ovaries that are large or have many cysts Excess body hair, including the chest, stomach, and back hirsutism Weight gain, especially around the belly abdomen Acne or oily skin Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair Infertility Small pieces of excess skin on the neck or armpits skin tags Dark or thick skin patches on the back of the neck, in the armpits, and under the breasts How is PCOS diagnosed?

Because of this, you may also have tests such as: Ultrasound. How is PCOS treated? If you do plan to become pregnant, your treatment may include: A change in diet and activity.

If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Its symptoms include:. Researchers say the causes of PCOS are complicated, but insulin resistance and hormone regulation are key factors. You should always talk with your doctor before you try any alternative treatment.

They can discuss possible dosage, side effects, and interactions. Eating the right foods and avoiding certain ingredients may help you manage your symptoms. A nourishing diet can help regulate your hormones and your menstrual cycle. Eating processed, heavily preserved foods can contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance.

Whole foods are free from artificial sugars, hormones, and preservatives. These foods are as close to their natural, unprocessed state as possible. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are whole foods that you can add to your diet. Carbohydrates and protein both impact your energy and hormone levels. Eating protein stimulates your body to produce insulin. Unprocessed, high-carb foods can improve insulin sensitivity. Instead of trying a low-carb diet, focus on getting enough healthy protein.

Plant-based protein sources , such as nuts, legumes, and whole grains, are best. PCOS is described by one study as low-level chronic inflammation. Adding anti-inflammatory foods to your diet can help ease your symptoms. Consider the Mediterranean diet as an option. Olive oil , tomatoes, leafy greens, fatty fish like mackerel and tuna, and tree nuts all fight inflammation. Some women with PCOS experience heavy bleeding during their period.

This can result in iron deficiency or anemia. If your doctor has diagnosed you with either condition, talk with them about how you can up your iron intake. They may recommend adding iron-rich foods such as spinach, eggs, and broccoli to your diet. Too much iron can increase your risk of complications. Almonds, cashews, spinach, and bananas are PCOS-friendly foods rich in magnesium. A diet high in fiber can help improve your digestion. Lentils, lima beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, pears, and avocados are all rich in fiber.

Caffeine consumption may be linked to changes in estrogen levels and hormone behavior. Try boosting your energy with a decaf alternative, such as an herbal tea. Green tea has been shown to improve insulin resistance. It can also help with weight management in women with PCOS. Before adding more soy to your diet, ask your doctor about the latest research. Soy acts like estrogen in your body. This might help balance hormones if you have PCOS.

People with a family history of estrogen-related cancers, such as some breast cancers, should avoid soy products. If your doctor approves adding soy to your diet, consider soy milk, tofu, miso, and tempeh.

Supplements claim to help with hormone regulation, insulin resistance, and inflammation associated with PCOS. Speak to your doctor before taking any supplement. Some of them can actually interfere with other prescribed PCOS treatments and medications. Inositol is a B vitamin that can help improve insulin resistance.

Chromium supplements may improve your body mass index, which can help with PCOS. They may also stabilize insulin resistance by helping your body metabolize sugar. Cinnamon comes from the bark of cinnamon trees. Cinnamon extract has been shown to have a positive effect on insulin resistance.