Understanding PCOS, The Most Common Cause of Irregular Periods 

You never know when you’re going to get your period. You could skip a month or two and at the next period have heavier than usual bleeding. You want to know what’s going on; is this normal? 

If you’re having irregular menstrual cycles, it’s important to seek gynecological help. The board-certified family nurse practitioners with Her Down There provide in-depth testing to get to the cause of your excess bleeding or missed periods. You might have a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).  

September is PCOS Awareness Month. PCOS is a health concern because the condition places you at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, ovarian cysts, and infertility. Up to 10% of women in the US are affected by PCOS. 

What is polycystic ovary syndrome?

PCOS occurs when your ovaries produce an abnormally high level of androgen, a male reproductive hormone. This places your reproductive hormones out of balance. You may develop small cysts on your ovaries, although not all women with PCOS do.  

What causes PCOS?

Scientists aren’t clear on the causes of PCOS. They know there’s a genetic component; if a close relative has it, you’re more likely to have it also. It’s also associated with obesity. Researchers estimate that the majority of women with PCOS are overweight or obese, and at least half are insulin-resistant. However, some women who are a normal weight also have PCOS. 

Symptoms of PCOS

Because PCOS alters your hormonal balance, many women experience noticeable symptoms, although others have none. Following are common signs of PCOS: 

• Irregular periods 
• Heavy bleeding during periods
• An absence of periods 
• Growth of hair on your face or body 
• Acne
• Thinner hair on your scalp
• Weight gain 
• Insulin resistance 
• Cysts on one or both ovaries 

Many women with PCOS have irregular periods. Excess androgen inhibits your ovaries from releasing eggs into your fallopian tubes. You miss ovulation, impacting your fertility. PCOS is a leading cause of infertility. 

Treatment of PCOS

Our board-certified family nurse practitioners with Her Down There offer caring, compassionate treatment if you have PCOS. If you’re trying to get pregnant, we prescribe drugs that stimulate ovulation. If medication doesn’t help, we refer you for an IVF procedure that can increase your chances of conceiving. 

If you’re not planning to become pregnant, we may prescribe birth control. The hormones help regulate your periods, improve acne breakouts, and control excess hair growth. We might prescribe a diabetes drug that helps regulate your body’s insulin levels; this helps you have more regular periods. We counsel you on lifestyle choices including diet and exercise. Eating healthfully helps keep your insulin levels under control. 

Call or send a message to Her Down There today for expert health care focused on women’s concerns. We have in-person appointments at our Houston, Texas, office, and offer telemedicine appointments through our office in Arlington, Texas.