Skip to main content

Living with PCOS

|

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 6-12% of women in the United States. It’s diagnosed during your reproductive years and characterized by high androgen levels, ovarian cysts, and irregular menstrual cycles. Because it’s a hormone issue, many women experience uncomfortable symptoms in many bodily systems, including those that affect appearance and reproduction.

Here at the California Center for Reproductive Health, Dr. Eliran Mor, Dr. Irene Woo, and the rest of our skilled team help you navigate your diagnosis of PCOS and live with the condition. We share some tips to help you manage your symptoms.

Tip 1: Change your diet and activity level

When you have PCOS, it’s easy to gain weight and hard to take off the extra pounds. The high level of male hormones means a lot of this weight piles around your belly.

A healthy diet and more physical activity can help you drop excess pounds and reduce the severity of your symptoms. Focus on lean proteins, veggies, fresh fruits, and whole grains and add in daily exercise – just a 30-minute walk is a good start.

Another benefit of exercise and healthy eating? You may lose some extra weight. If you’re overweight, losing even a small amount of weight may stimulate ovulation, which normalizes your menstrual cycle and means you can possibly get pregnant.

Another benefit of a regular healthy diet and exercise is that your body may use insulin more effectively. Women with PCOS are at greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, so everything you can do to avoid that complication is important.

Tip 2: Seek out cosmetic treatments

If you’re bothered by hair growth in areas that aren’t typical for women, such as the chest, stomach, and back, advanced cosmetic treatments can help. We can recommend the best hair-removal products or procedures, such as laser hair removal, so you feel better about your appearance.

If hair growth is really unbearable, we may be able to help by prescribing medications to slow hair growth in unwanted places.

Tip 3: Consider hormonal medications

If you’re not currently trying to get pregnant, birth control pills or other hormonal medications can help you control your menstrual cycles, reduce acne, and lower your androgen levels. Your other options include the patch, vaginal ring, shot, and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs).

We can discuss birth control pills and other medications at your next appointment.

Tip 4: Boost your fertility

If you do want to become pregnant, medications that help you ovulate are an option. These medications, such as Clomid, help your ovaries release eggs normally. Other fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization, are possible, too. We specialize in helping you grow your family, and many women with PCOS go on to have healthy babies.

Trust that our doctors at the California Center for Reproductive Health can help you find a combination of treatments to help you live with PCOS. It cannot be cured, but can be managed successfully so you can live a full life. Call one of our offices in Encino, Santa Monica, Alhambra, Valencia, or West Hollywood, California, for an appointment or schedule your visit online.

See Dr. Mor’s Publications

Eliran Mor, MD

Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Santa Monica, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA
Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA Doctor Mor received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University-Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Dr. Mor completed a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility […]
Read More

FAQ

What does a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist do?

Reproductive endocrinology and Infertility is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to managing medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the female reproductive tract, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialists undergo additional years of training to provide fertility treatments using assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.

Reproductive endocrinologists receive board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

When should I see an REI specialist?

In general, patients should consider consulting with an REI specialist after one year of trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy. The chance of conceiving every month is around 20%, therefore after a full year of trying approximately 15% of couples will still not have achieved a pregnancy.

However, if a woman is over the age of 35 it would be reasonable to see a fertility specialist earlier, typically after 6 months of trying.

Other candidates to seek earlier treatment are women who have irregular menses, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women who have had 2 or more miscarriages, or problems with the fallopian tubes (prior ectopic pregnancy).

What are the reasons we are having trouble conceiving?

Approximately 1/3 of the time cause for infertility is a female factor, 1/3 of the time a male factor, and the remaining 1/3 a couples’ factor.

At CCRH, we emphasize the importance of establishing a correct diagnosis. Both partners undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a medical history and physical exam.

Furthremore, the woman’s ovarian reserve is assessed with a pelvic ultrasound and a hormonal profile. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will confirm fallopian tube patency and the uterine cavity is free of intracavitary lesions. A semen analysis is also obtained to evaluate for concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

Additional work up is then individualized to direct the best possible treatment option for each couple.

What is IVF? What is the process like?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process that involves fertilization of an egg outside of a woman’s body.

The process starts with fertility drugs prescribed to help stimulate egg development. In your natural cycle, your body is only able to grow one dominant egg, but with stimulation medication we can recruit multiple eggs to continue to grow. After about 8-10 days of stimulation, the eggs are surgically retrieved and then fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Fertilized eggs are then cultured under a strictly controlled environment within specialized incubators in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days while they develop as embryos. Finally, embryos (or an embryo) are transferred into the uterine cavity for implantation.

Should I have IVF?

Before deciding if IVF is the right choice, it’s important to sit down with an REI specialist to discuss available treatment options. For some people, other methods such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be the best first choice treatment. At CCRH, we believe each individual couple is unique and not everyone needs IVF.

Is the IVF procedure painful?

While not painful, the fertility medications may some side effects including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and bloating. The injection sites may also bruise.

Will IVF guarantee a baby?

Unfortunately, no. Many people think once they start IVF it’s a matter of time that they will be pregnant and have a baby. But according to national statistics per the Society of Assisted Reproduction (SART), on average 40% of assisted reproduction cycles achieve live births in women under age 35. The chances of success then continue to decrease with advancing age.

At CCRH, we employ only evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and optimal outcome. While we cannot guarantee a baby, we guarantee that you will receive the best, most advanced, personalized care to help you maximize your chance of a baby.

What is the success rate for IVF?

The average IVF success rate (success measured in live birth rate) using one’s own eggs begins to drop around age 35 and then rapidly after age 40. This is due to the decline in egg quantity and egg quality as a woman ages.

Our clinic’s success rate consistently beats the national average year after year.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment? How much does IVF cost?

Individual insurance plans often do not have any coverage for infertility treatments. If you have a group plan, you can call members services to see if they have coverage for infertility (including consultation/workup and IVF).

After your consultation with our REI specialist, one of our dedicated account managers with sit with you to go over the cost of treatment.

You May Also Like