Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition that affects women of reproductive age. One in 10 women experience PCOS—starting in adolescence and continuing until menopause.
Women with PCOS often don’t ovulate and typically have difficulty becoming pregnant. There’s no cure for the condition, but proper management can help regulate ovulation and alleviate symptoms.
“PCOS symptoms are frustrating for women and can be challenging to treat,” says Annmarie Vilkins, D.O., an obstetrics and gynecology specialist at Henry Ford Health. “But the right combination of medication and lifestyle changes can help.”
Common Symptoms Of PCOS
In women with PCOS, the ovaries may produce too much or too little of certain sex hormones. This can lead to a wide variety of symptoms. “In order to receive a diagnosis of PCOS, a person must have two out of three specific clinical symptoms,” says Dr. Vilkins.
Those diagnostic symptoms include:
- Evidence of polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound
- High levels of androgens (male sex hormones)
- Periods that come too far apart or no periods at all
PCOS may cause other, more noticeable symptoms, such as:
- Acne
- Cysts on the ovaries
- Excess body hair (on the face, back, stomach or chest)
- Infertility
- Irregular periods (or no periods)
- Thinning hair or hair loss
- Weight gain (especially in the stomach)
Treating PCOS With Medication
“The goal of medication to treat PCOS is to restore normal ovulation,” says Dr. Vilkins. “But it can also help prevent the disease from progressing and reduce your risk of developing associated conditions.”
Women with PCOS are at higher risk of also developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and uterine cancer. Managing PCOS can help women lower those risks.
If you’re not planning to become pregnant, your doctor may suggest hormonal birth control to regulate hormone levels. This could be in the form of birth control pills, vaginal ring, hormonal patches or shots, or a hormone intrauterine device (IUD).
The diabetes medication metformin is another option. Although it’s not FDA-approved for PCOS, metformin can help lower insulin resistance and androgen levels—which may also help you ovulate.
Anti-androgen medications may not affect ovulation. But because they block or reduce the release of male sex hormones, they can help improve PCOS symptoms such as hair loss, acne, and growth of facial and body hair.
If you’re planning to become pregnant, your physician may discuss medications like clomiphene (Clomid) or letrozole (Femara) with you. These medications can stimulate the ovaries to release eggs.
Lifestyle Changes That Help Manage PCOS Symptoms
While medication can effectively manage PCOS for many women, there are other steps you can take to help relieve symptoms.
“One of the most important things you can do to help improve PCOS is to lose weight,” says Dr. Vilkins. “Studies have shown that just a 5% weight loss can help metabolic abnormalities go away.” Losing weight can help by improving insulin resistance, lowering blood sugar, and regulating hormones, ovulation and your period.
Other lifestyle changes that may help you manage PCOS symptoms include:
- Limiting added sugars and refined carbohydrates: Both can increase your risk of diabetes, or worsen blood sugar control for those who have diabetes.
- Eating an anti-inflammatory diet: A mostly plant-based diet rich in beans, legumes, vegetables, whole grains and healthy (non-saturated) fats can lower inflammation and help with insulin resistance.
- Staying physically active: Getting regular exercise can also help you more easily manage your weight and maintain any weight loss.
Vitamins, herbs, probiotics and other supplements that claim to improve PCOS have not been proven to help. Talk to your doctor before adding any supplements to your treatment plan.
When To See Your Doctor
If you aren’t getting your period regularly—or are experiencing other symptoms of PCOS—it’s important to talk to your doctor. Likewise, if you’ve already been diagnosed with PCOS but treatment isn’t helping, your doctor may be able to suggest a new medication or other treatment.
“Unfortunately, even with effective treatment, everything doesn’t magically get better,” says Dr. Vilkins. “But keep working with your doctor to find the right combination of medication and lifestyle changes to help improve your PCOS symptoms.”
Reviewed by Annmarie Vilkins, D.O., an obstetrics and gynecology specialist who sees patients at Henry Ford Medical Center- New Center One.
