Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, also known as PCOS, is a common condition encountered in young women. The typical patient with PCOS is overweight, has irregular periods, and often has issues with acne and excess facial or body hair. Because of the irregular periods, many of these women have difficulty getting pregnant because they do not ovulate regularly. This condition can be very frustrating for patients because it is unclear why it develops. For many women, it is linked to being overweight but we are not sure which happens first – the hormonal imbalance or the weight gain. A recent article in the New York Times did an excellent job of summarizing this syndrome and touched on some of the treatments available. Click here to read this article. If you suspect that you or a friend have this condition or would like more information, please call our office to schedule an appointment with any of our knowledgeable providers. While there is no simple test to diagnose PCOS, bloodwork can exclude other conditions and an ultrasound can be helpful to support the diagnosis.
