Plagued by PCOS? 3 Ways We Can Help You Manage Your Symptoms

When your ovaries produce too many hormones called androgens, you get diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

By the time you receive the diagnosis, you probably already know something’s off. PCOS causes period problems, hair growth where you might not necessarily want it, weight gain, and trouble getting pregnant.

Fortunately, if you think you have PCOS or you’ve already been diagnosed, we can help. Our all-female team specializes in treating women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Come see us at any of our Elite Gynecology locations in Manhattan, Forest Hills, or Rego Park, New York.

When you live with PCOS, wrap-around care can help minimize your symptoms so you can enjoy your life. We typically explore the following three categories with PCOS patients:

Medication

We can use medication to target the PCOS symptoms that are most bothersome to you. Because PCOS is linked to weight gain, a lot of our patients want to address that. 

We often recommend metformin, a medication that improves your body’s ability to use insulin, a big part of the weight problem with PCOS. 

Hormonal birth control can help with acne and excess hair growth. Some anti-androgen medications can also be useful. Our team talks with you about your most bothersome symptoms and develops a personalized plan to help. 

Lifestyle support

While PCOS causes an imbalance in your body, your lifestyle choices shape how much that imbalance affects you. 

As one study summarized, “Collectively, lifestyle modifications not only improve the biochemical, hormonal, and anthropometric parameters in PCOS patients but also reduce the long-term risks of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.”

We can help you make the shifts that create the biggest impact, including:

• Eating a balanced diet that consists primarily of whole foods
• Getting regular physical activity (even walking counts)
• Developing good sleep hygiene to support sufficient sleep
• Managing stress
• Maintaining a healthy weight

Our team comes alongside you to help you develop habits that minimize your PCOS symptoms.

Fertility treatment

Polycystic ovary syndrome can be particularly difficult when you’re trying to get pregnant. Because we have expertise in obstetrics, we can help. 

Some medications can encourage your body to release an egg, overcoming one of the big obstacles in PCOS. If you’re still having trouble getting pregnant, you may benefit from exploring options like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). 

The big takeaway is that it’s absolutely possible to get pregnant with PCOS. 

We’re here to support you every step of the way. Don’t let PCOS keep you from living your best life. To get started with a personalized plan to manage your symptoms, call Elite Gynecology or book your appointment online today.