Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. PCOS causes a woman’s body to produce excessive amounts of testosterone, which is a hormone that is associated with male sex characteristics.

PCOS disrupts the balance of both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the hormone that causes the follicle and egg to develop, and luteinizing hormone (LH), the hormone that causes the follicle to release the egg. This not only stops ovulation from occurring on a regular basis, but it also causes low progesterone levels, placing a women at risk for uterine cancer and heavy periods.

What to look for:

  • Irregular menstrual periods (i.e. periods that last a long time, or occur infrequently)
  • Excessive facial or body hair (called “hirsutism”)
  • Acne
  • Male-pattern baldness
  • Obesity and/or unexplained weight gain
  • Infrequent or absent menstruation in adolescents
  • Pregnancy-related problems, including difficulty getting pregnant, having a miscarriage, and infertility

PCOS tends to run in families, but little is known about its cause or how it passes from one generation to the next. Stress and environmental factors (including diet, exercise, and toxins) can play a role in the development of PCOS. One theory is that it develops from a genetic propensity towards insulin resistance, causing higher levels of insulin in our bloodstream to stimulate the ovary to produce high levels of testosterone.

No cure exists for PCOS, but treatments can help relieve symptoms, improve the quality of life, and reduce the risk of developing certain cancers. Treatment generally focuses on management of the primary concern(s), such as infertility, hirsutism, acne, and/or obesity.

Treatments for PCOS can include lifestyle changes (including management of diet and blood sugar), diabetic medications and supplements (Berberine, Inositol), hair removal, oral contraceptives, hormone treatment, and laser hair removal. Many women can become ovulatory by simply lowering their carbohydrates in their diet and losing weight.