What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, is the most common hormonal disorder among US women of reproductive age.
PCOS can cause irregular or heavy menstrual periods for adolescents. It can also be a cause of infertility.
What are the signs or symptoms of PCOS?
PCOS causes the body’s hormones to be out of balance resulting in many symptoms.
Common symptoms of PCOS include:
- Acne
- Irregular or heavy menstrual periods
- Weight gain or having trouble losing weight
- Male pattern baldness or thinning hair around the scalp
- Hair growth on the face, back or chest
- High blood sugar
What treatments are available for PCOS?
- Talk with your doctor about proper cleansing and moisturizing techniques or products for acne. If acne persists, medical treatment may help reduce breakouts.
- If you are overweight, a small amount of weight loss is likely to start up the menstrual cycle and ovulation.
- Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can improve hormone balance.
- If you are not trying to get pregnant, birth control pills can also help get your menstrual cycle back on track.
- There are also medications that doctors can prescribe if weight loss is not enough to get your hormones back in balance.
- Talk with your doctor if you are concerned about baldness, thinning hair, hair growth on the face, back or chest.
If you are having symptoms of PCOS, it is important to visit your doctor.
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