Lisa is an internationally established health writer whose credits include Good Housekeeping, Prevention, Men’s Health, Oprah Daily, Woman’s Day, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, Glamour, The Washington Post, WebMD, Medscape, The Los Angeles Times, Parade, Health, Self, Family Circle and Seventeen. She is the author of eight best-selling books, including The Essentials of Theater.
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This hormone condition can be challenging and lead to additional health problems as you age. Here’s what you need to know.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders in women, affecting up to 1 in 10 women during their reproductive years. PCOS typically starts after your very first period; however, it’s often difficult to get a diagnosis as a teen since symptoms like acne and irregular periods can be overlooked as part of growing up. Instead, many women find out they have PCOS in their 20s and 30s, when they have problems getting pregnant and see a healthcare provider (HCP). Once you do get a diagnosis, there are steps you can take to improve your symptoms. Here’s what you need to know in order to manage PCOS through different stages of your life.
PCOS is a condition in which there is a hormonal imbalance. Normally, a woman’s body produces a small amount of a male sex hormone called androgen. But in PCOS, the body overproduces androgen. High levels of androgens can interfere with the ovulation process, meaning that if you have PCOS, your ovaries may be prevented from releasing an egg. Instead, you might develop small ovarian cysts.
The symptoms of PCOS can be different depending on the person. You may have:
These symptoms may make you feel self-conscious, which is natural. However, it’s important to remember that treatments can help control symptoms and stop PCOS from getting worse.
Some women with PCOS can get pregnant with no problems. However, for many women, PCOS causes infertility. If you have PCOS and do get pregnant, you have a higher risk of complications during pregnancy. These can include:
In vitro fertilization may be an option for women with PCOS who have a hard time getting pregnant. Talk with your HCP about your options and what might be right for you.
PCOS can cause health problems that affect your heart, such as:
Women with PCOS who have gone through menopause have a higher risk of developing conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
These issues can happen because as women age, PCOS changes from a reproductive disorder into more of a metabolic disorder.
For women with PCOS,their androgen levels remain high or get even higher as their estrogen levels decrease. This can increase inflammation, which is a cause of many cardiovascular conditions.
If left untreated, PCOS can lead to serious health conditions like diabetes, heart disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
The good news: There’s a lot you can do to help manage your symptoms and cut your risk of additional medical problems. These include:
There’s no cure for PCOS, but you can manage your symptoms and reduce your risk for other health conditions. Talk to your HCP about your treatment options.
This resource was created with support from Sumitomo Pharma.
