PCOS or Endometriosis? How to Spot the Differences Early

Endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have quite a bit in common. They both stem from issues with your hormones. They both affect your reproductive system. They both introduce challenges with fertility. 

That said, both conditions require their own treatment. So if you’re dealing with unwelcome symptoms, you want to make sure you’re getting the right diagnosis. That’s where we come in. 

Our all-female team at Elite Gynecology in Manhattan, Forest Hills, or Rego Park, New York, specializes in both endometriosis and PCOS. We can work with you to figure out if you’re being affected by excess male hormones (PCOS) or tissue growing in the wrong place (endometriosis). 

Key symptoms of PCOS

Despite its name, PCOS doesn’t actually come from cysts in your ovaries. Instead, that name comes from one of the symptoms the condition causes. 

Polycystic ovary syndrome stems from a hormonal imbalance. Specifically, your body has too many male hormones called androgens. 

The resulting hormonal imbalance typically causes symptoms like:

• Irregular periods, including missed ones
• Hair growing where it doesn’t normally grow on a woman, like on your face or chest
• Acne and oily skin
• Thinning scalp hair
• Weight gain
• Trouble getting pregnant
• Ovarian cysts

If this sounds familiar, see our team. We can use blood tests to check your hormone levels and an ultrasound to check for cysts. This helps us figure out if you’re living with PCOS. 

Key symptoms of endometriosis

Endometriosis develops because your endometrium, the tissue that usually lines your uterus, grows where it shouldn’t. When it’s inside your uterus, that tissue thickens, then sheds during your menstrual cycle. 

When the tissue grows outside your uterus, the misplaced endometrium causes symptoms like:

• Painful periods with severe cramps and heavy bleeding
• Lower abdominal pain before and after your period
• Pain during sex
• Trouble getting pregnant
• Constipation, diarrhea, or pain during bowel movements

You’re not stuck with this pain. If you think you might have endometriosis, see our team. We offer pelvic exams and ultrasounds to look for signs of this issue. To get a definitive diagnosis, we can also help you get a minimally invasive surgery called a laparoscopy. 

What to do if these symptoms sound familiar

Many women start to suspect that something’s wrong because of symptoms they experience around their period. If you’re missing periods or your schedule isn’t regular, it could be PCOS. 

If you have serious pain during your periods, it’s more likely to be endometriosis. These conditions can occur together — although that’s rare. 

Our team works with you to figure out what’s going on. First, we talk about your symptoms. Then, with the necessary diagnostic tools and procedures, we fill in any gaps to arrive at a diagnosis. 

Next, we can put a treatment plan in place. With endometriosis, lifestyle changes, birth control, and direct symptom treatment (e.g., acne treatment) usually improve your quality of life. We can also provide resources to help if you’re trying to get pregnant. 

For endometriosis, treatment could range from birth control and pain meds you take when you’re on your period to laparoscopy to remove misplaced tissue. Again, if you’re dealing with fertility issues, we can tailor care to help. 

While PCOS and endometriosis are different, they both benefit from treatment from a team that specializes in the female reproductive system. For the care you need, call Elite Gynecology or book an appointment online today.