PCOS Doctor in Kenmore NY

PCOS stands for polycystic ovary syndrome. It’s a hormonal disorder that affects your menstrual cycle, fertility, and sometimes your appearance. Common symptoms are irregular periods, excess androgen hormones, and cysts on the ovaries.

The medical field isn’t sure about the exact cause of PCOS. We do know that it is more common in women with an immediate relative who also has it. It is also more common in those who are overweight.

Generally, we’ll use a combination of physical examination, ultrasound imaging, and blood tests to diagnose PCOS.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a single test that determines whether you have PCOS. Symptoms of PCOS often overlap with other reproductive health issues, and that’s why it takes multiple methods to diagnose the disease.

Oftentimes, doctors will be dismissive of women’s pelvic health concerns and not discover PCOS or misdiagnose the cause. As a PCOS doctor in Kenmore, I’m passionate about helping patients find relief from their symptoms and get an accurate diagnosis.

There is no cure for PCOS, so treatment usually includes a combination of strategies to help manage the most bothersome symptoms. Because PCOS is a hormonal disorder, most treatments involve addressing your hormone levels.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your treatment plan may include any of the following:

• Hormone therapy or birth control
• Anti-Androgens (these reduce hair growth/acne)
• Insulin sensitizers to help with weight management
• Fertility medications if needed

Weight reduction and lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise can also play an important part in managing PCOS.

As a PCOS doctor in Kenmore, I help my patients manage their symptoms with lifestyle changes and medication as necessary.

In some cases, yes. Women with PCOS are at higher risk for:

• Type 2 Diabetes: Due to insulin resistance
• Heart Disease: Increased risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Endometrial Cancer: Due to prolonged periods of unopposed estrogen
• Sleep Apnea: Especially in those who are overweight

PCOS can often impact fertility. If you have PCOS but want to get pregnant, it’ll be important for us to talk about it as part of your family planning.

When your hormones aren’t playing nice with your reproductive system, you’re likely going to experience fertility issues.

Elevated androgen levels and insulin resistance can disrupt normal ovarian function. This prevents eggs from being released regularly, which is part of why people with PCOS have irregular periods. Having irregular periods makes it harder to track ovulation, if ovulation is happening at all.