Alester Brown

How Painful is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone condition that can affect a woman's life in many ways. However, it usually does not cause pelvic pain. If pain exists, there could be other issues at play.

Even still, PCOS can cause many symptoms that affect a woman's everyday life.

The Difference Between PCO and PCOS

Despite their similar-sounding names, PCOS and polycystic ovaries (PCO) are not the same issues.

Polycystic ovaries occur when women develop more egg-developing fluid-filled follicles than usual. Typically, women develop two to five follicles scattered throughout the ovary. But with Polycystic ovaries, there can be twelve arranged in a circular pattern.

PCO is a variant of normal ovaries, but PCOS is a metabolic disorder. The hormones released by the ovaries create an imbalance, leading to potential fertility issues and other unwanted symptoms.

Common PCOS Symptoms

The hormonal changes women experience with PCOS result in a wide range of symptoms. Many women will start to gain weight and show signs of insulin resistance. Periods become abnormal, too. Some women will start to miss periods or experience a heavier flow than they're used to seeing.

Hormones can also affect the skin and hair. It's common for PCOS to cause skin issues like acne. Excess body hair and hair loss on the head are also prevalent.

Diagnosing PCOS

Looking at the hormone-related PCOS symptoms isn't enough. Healthcare experts look at three factors to diagnose PCOS. These include period regularity, blood, and the presence of polycystic ovaries.

To properly diagnose the syndrome, doctors may perform blood tests to check the presence of excess male hormones. Higher-than-average levels could indicate PCOS. They also monitor irregular periods, with fewer than six periods a year indicating PCOS. Finally, they may perform an ultrasound. During the ultrasound, more than 20 follicles or an ovarian size increase of more than 10 ml points to PCOS.

Generally, healthcare providers need only two of the three indicators to diagnose PCOS. In most cases, irregular periods and blood work results are enough.

From there, providers can recommend an appropriate treatment. That may involve lifestyle and dietary changes, prescription anti-androgens, contraceptive pills, and more.

Author Resource:-

Alester Brown is a certified PCOS specialist. She advises people on personalized women's healthcare and skin treatment at home. You can find her thoughts at PCOS treatment blog.