PCOS - Renewal Hormone Center

What is PCOS?

PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is a common hormonal disorder that affects women. It can cause a variety of symptoms including:

• Irregular periods - PCOS often causes irregular menstruation with skipped cycles or heavy bleeding
• Infertility - Around 70-80% of women with PCOS have difficulty getting pregnant due to irregular ovulation or lack of ovulation
• Hormone imbalance - PCOS causes abnormally high levels of androgens (male hormones) which prevents ovulation
• Weight gain - Many women with PCOS are overweight or obese, especially around the waist
• Acne - Elevated androgens can cause breakouts on face, chest or back
• Hair growth - Increased androgens lead to excess hair on face, chest, back or buttocks

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown but genetics and insulin resistance seem to play a major role. There are three criteria used for diagnosis:

1. Irregular ovulation and/or lack of ovulation
2. Excess androgen levels
3. Polycystic ovaries via ultrasound

Meeting 2 out of 3 criteria is considered sufficient for a PCOS diagnosis.

Dietary changes and weight management are the first line treatments for managing PCOS:

• Low GI diet - Focus on fiber-rich complex carbs to help manage insulin and blood sugar levels
• Weight loss - Losing just 5-10% body weight can restore regular cycles and ovulation

If lifestyle changes aren't enough, medications like birth control pills, metformin or clomiphene may be used to regulate cycles and promote ovulation.

At Renewal Hormone Center, our specialized team helps women take control of PCOS and restore hormonal balance naturally. We offer cutting edge testing to check hormone levels and customized treatment plans to manage symptoms. Book a consultation today to discover how we can help you thrive with PCOS!

Some key facts about PCOS:

• Affects 6-12% of women of reproductive age
• Leading cause of female infertility
• Linked to increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and endometrial cancer
• Symptoms begin around first period but often undiagnosed until 20s or 30s
• No cure but manageable lifelong condition with right lifestyle and treatment

PCOS is complex with a variety of symptoms but simple changes to diet, activity levels, stress and targeted treatment can dramatically relieve symptoms and lower future health risks. Get the right support team in place and know there are many resources available for coping with and managing this condition.