September is PCOS Awareness Month. Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is one of the most common ovulatory disorders, accounting for 85 percent of ovulatory disorder diagnoses. While the exact causes of PCOS are unclear, the effects of PCOS on your body and a woman’s fertility are well-documented. Women with PCOS create a higher than average level of androgens.  Androgens are normally present in both sexes, but typically are considered “male hormones.”  Elevated androgen levels in women will affect the development of eggs and interfere with ovulation. For this reason, women with PCOS may not ovulate regularly, or at all.

Although a cure for PCOS does not exist, a woman can manage her symptoms through diet and/or medication and, if conception does not occur on its own, then fertility treatment is often helpful. Many patients are surprised to learn even the most basic treatment options like Clomid or Femara with timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination (IUI) can help women with PCOS to get pregnant. To learn more about diet and PCOS, you are welcome to make an appointment with our registered nutritionist, Nancy Padilla.

To help spread the word about polcystic ovary syndrome—a condition that, according to the World Health Organization is believed to impact over 100 million women worldwide—this month is dedicated to raising awareness, educating the public, and conquering PCOS by sharing personal stories.

Please review our PCOS page or other blog posts to get more information about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and what can be done to treat and control it.

The other important aspect of PCOS Awareness Month is advocacy. Whether it’s by sharing your individual fertility story or supporting other women struggling with PCOS, this month gives all of us a platform to join the conversation. Share your experiences with our online community on our Facebook page to empower and uplift other women struggling with PCOS or any other type of infertility.

If you would like to learn more about polycystic ovary syndrome,  please call to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at 248-593-6990.