5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About PCOS
Learning you have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a chronic illness that can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, infertility, and other health issues, can be daunting. If your gynecologist or general practitioner diagnoses you with PCOS, you'll most likely be referred to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in hormone-related medical conditions.
Learning you have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a chronic illness that can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, infertility, and other health issues, can be daunting. If your gynecologist or general practitioner diagnoses you with PCOS, you'll most likely be referred to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in hormone-related medical conditions.
You'll want answers to specific questions about therapy, problems, and more, whether you're treated for PCOS by a general practitioner or a specialist. This guide will assist you in deciding what questions to ask your endocrinologist.
1. Do I need to take birth control pills?
PCOS is usually treated with hormonal contraceptives. These drugs can help restore or normalize menstruation, as well as prevent or relieve symptoms including acne and hirsutism (excess hair growth). They can also protect women with PCOS who don't have menstrual periods from developing endometrial cancer.
Some people are hesitant to take birth control pills. A history of oral contraceptive adverse effects, religious views, social misconceptions about weight gain and infertility, or a desire to balance hormones in a more natural way are also common reasons.
You will not need to take birth control tablets to treat your PCOS if you fall into this category for whatever reason. There are other possibilities. Medication to assist the body in metabolizing insulin, such as metformin (also known as Glucophage Fortament, Riomet, and other brand names) and Actos (pioglitazone), as well as weight loss and other lifestyle adjustments, are frequently prescribed.
2. If I have insulin resistance, how will that impact my treatment?
Insulin resistance develops when the body's insulin production is ineffective in lowering blood sugar levels. It's a prevalent problem among PCOS sufferers. As a result, as part of your PCOS evaluation, your healthcare provider will likely do an insulin resistance blood test.
If you've been diagnosed with insulin resistance, a drug like metformin can help your body correctly utilize insulin and lower your risk of diabetes. Insulin-lowering medicines have been shown in studies to aid in the promotion of ovulation in women with PCOS.
3. Should I lose weight?
Weight loss is an important part of PCOS therapy. Losing weight helps to lower insulin levels as well as androgen levels, which are commonly increased in PCOS patients.
Losing weight may reduce the chance of sleep apnea, which is linked to both excess weight and high androgen levels, as well as other PCOS symptoms, though it won't completely remove them.
Because insulin resistance is often a contributing factor in weight gain, it can be especially difficult for women with PCOS to lose weight. Seek advice from your healthcare provider. You might benefit from working with a nutritionist or dietician, as well as joining a support group, in addition to eating fewer calories and getting more exercise.
4. How can I lower the risk of complications?
PCOS has been linked to a number of potentially fatal diseases and disorders. Heart disease, diabetes, endometrial cancer, and metabolic syndrome are among them.
By closely following the treatment plan your healthcare practitioner suggests for you, you can reduce your risk of PCOS complications. Losing weight, eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits (since too much sugar might aggravate insulin resistance), and exercising regularly can all help. Hormonal therapy can help reduce the risk of endometrial cancer in some circumstances.
5. How will PCOS impact my fertility?
PCOS affects up to 80% of adults, making it difficult to conceive. If you're one of them, or if you're concerned that your PCOS will make it difficult for you to conceive in the future, talk to your doctor about it. There are a variety of therapeutic alternatives available, including consuming an antioxidant-rich diet with moderate amounts of unprocessed carbs.
Physical activity can also be beneficial. Additionally, some studies suggest that vitamin D administration may aid infertility in certain women with PCOS.
If lifestyle changes aren't adequate, pharmaceutical or hormonal treatments are frequently explored next, followed by assisted reproductive technological operations.
About the Creator
Amelia Grant
I am journalist, and blogger.
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