Understanding PCOS: September PCOS Awareness Month

By Mary Basiadima, 13 September 2023

(PCOS) millions of women worldwide, yet it often remains a misunderstood and under diagnosed condition. September PCOS Awareness Month[], a crucial to educate, empower, and for those with PCOS.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the PCOS definition, the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and the importance of raising awareness.

The Importance of PCOS Awareness

September PCOS Awareness Month is in shedding light on this often-overlooked condition. Raising awareness has essential benefits, such as:

awareness can lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention, improving outcomes for PCOS patients.

about PCOS helps reduce the stigma with its symptoms, particularly those to and appearance.

PCOS awareness and for better healthcare and research .

Greater can drive into more effective and therapies for PCOS.

What Is PCOS?

PCOS, short for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a common hormonal among women of reproductive age. It can in various ways, periods, cysts on the ovaries, and . PCOS affects one in ten women, making it a prevalent .

Symptoms of PCOS

Ovary (PCOS) is a common hormonal that impacts people with ovaries, in their reproductive years. It can with a range of symptoms, and the severity and of can vary from person to person. Here are some common symptoms of PCOS:

Women with PCOS often have irregular, infrequent, or absent . This can make it to when will occur.

PCOS can lead to, known as . This hair growth is typically coarse and dark. You can get to help with hair growth, which is excellent for with unwanted hair and you to feel like yourself again.

Check out our blog on laser hair for for further .

PCOS may be with and oily skin due to (male hormone) levels.

Some with PCOS thinning of the hair on their scalp, which can resemble .

Many people with PCOS with weight gain or obesity[]. This can make it even more to manage the condition.

Losing weight can be for PCOS patients due to resistance, to increased fat .

PCOS often disrupts the normal process, making it for to . This can result in fertility issues.

Some with PCOS may pelvic pain, which cysts on the ovaries can cause.

PCOS can be associated with mood swings, anxiety, and depression, due to hormonal .

Sleep can be more common in individuals with PCOS, possibly due to weight gain and hormonal .

It’s important to note that not everyone with PCOS will experience all of these symptoms, and the severity can vary widely. PCOS can also the risk of long-term health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, and endometrial cancer. If you you have PCOS or are any of these symptoms, it’s essential to a healthcare professional for proper and .

What Causes Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic ovary (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects people with ovaries. Its exact cause is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from a of genetic, hormonal, and . Here are some key thought to to the development of PCOS:

There appears to be a genetic to PCOS, as it often runs in families. If a close female relative (such as a mother or sister) has PCOS, you may be at a higher risk of developing it.

One of the primary features of PCOS is an imbalance in hormones, particularly elevated levels of (male hormones) such as testosterone. This hormonal can disrupt the normal menstrual cycle and lead to various symptoms.

Many individuals with PCOS also have resistance, a condition where the body’s cells don’t respond effectively to insulin, to higher levels in the blood. can stimulate the ovaries to produce more androgens, further to imbalances.

How is PCOS Diagnosed?

Your GP will inquire about your symptoms to eliminate the possibility of other potential causes and assess your blood .

They will also a series of hormone tests to whether the excessive is to PCOS or another hormone-related condition. Additionally, you may an examination to whether you have elevated follicles within your ovaries, a characteristic of polycystic ovaries.

A blood test may also be necessary to gauge your hormone levels and screen for conditions such as diabetes or high cholesterol.

According to the NHS[], a diagnosis can usually be made if other rare causes of the same have been ruled out and you meet at least 2 of the following criteria:

Scans show you have polycystic ovaries.
Blood tests show high levels of “male hormones,” such as .
You have irregular periods or infrequent or infrequent periods this indicates that your do not regularly eggs (ovulate)

As only 2 of these need to be present to PCOS, you will not necessarily need to have an scan before the condition can be .

If you’re diagnosed with PCOS, you may be by your GP or to a specialist, gynaecologist, or endocrinologist.

The GP or specialist will the best possible ways to manage symptoms and lifestyle changes and start you on any necessary medicine.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Treatments

The treatment for PCOS aims to manage its and reduce the health risks associated with the . Here are some common for PCOS:

The and overall risk of developing long-term health problems from PCOS can be improved by losing excess weight. The NHS states that a weight loss of 5% can lead to a significant improvement in PCOS.

Multiple are available to treat the different symptoms associated with PCOS. Here are some of the that can be used to treat the symptoms:

You may be recommended to take the pill to induce periods, or periods may be induced using an intermittent course of progestogen tablets.

Taking the contraceptive pill to help with having periods will reduce the long-term risk of cancer of the womb lining associated with not having regular periods.

There are also hormonal methods of contraception, such as an intrauterine system (IUS), which will reduce the risk of cancer in the womb lining as it keeps the womb lining thin, but this may not cause .

may be the first medication recommended for women with PCOS who are trying to get pregnant. This the of an egg from the ovaries.

If is unsuccessful in encouraging ovulation, another medication called metformin may be .

The oral pill has been used to treat excessive hair growth (hirsutism) and hair loss (alopecia).

There is a cream called Eflornithine, which can be used to slow down the growth of unwanted facial hair. This cream does not remove hair or cure unwanted facial hair, so it can be used a hair removal product.

There are medicines called which may be offered for excessive hair growth, which may include:

For hair loss from the hair, a cream called may be recommended for use on the scalp.

You will the options with your doctor or specialist and find the treatment option that best suits you.

Suffering with Excessive Hair Growth?

At London Premier Laser Clinic, we have a in laser hair removal for excess hair growth. We will create a tailored plan best suited to your condition, which is to give you results.

Book a free consultation at one of to see how laser hair treats hair growth. If you have any further questions about our or to arrange a consultation, please or call .

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