What Happens If You Don’t Treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
7 Things You Need to Know About Untreated PCOS
Living with PCOS can be frustrating and, at times, debilitating. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, don't ignore them.
Here is everything you need to know about PCOS.
1. It Can Be Serious
PCOS can become a serious issue if left untreated. All of the symptoms you are experiencing can lead to other health risks such as cancer, acne scars, and heart disease if you do not see a doctor and receive treatment.
Other health issues that may arise include sleep apnea and difficulty conceiving. The good news is that with a proper diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle changes, the outlook for PCOS is favorable.
2. Diagnosis Is Hard
In contrast to other diseases that can be predicted based on genetics, doctors do not know who is most likely to develop PCOS and who will not.
PCOS symptoms can be markers, but just because you have them doesn't mean you have PCOS. As a result, doctors frequently overlook PCOS. For example, if you visit a dermatologist because you have excessive acne, they are unlikely to inquire about other factors such as missed periods.
The best way to get a diagnosis is to see a doctor, such as an OBGYN, who will listen to all of your symptoms and make the appropriate diagnosis. PCOS is typically diagnosed through blood tests and, in some cases, an ultrasound to look for ovarian cysts.
3. There Are Treatments
PCOS has no known cure. There are, however, treatments available.
There are medications available to control the hormones and acne that cause PCOS. Your doctor and you will collaborate to determine the best medication to treat your symptoms.
4. Medications Are Not The End-All
While medications can help treat PCOS, medications combined with lifestyle changes are the most effective antidote to PCOS, and many doctors recommend this approach.
Lifestyle changes such as dietary changes, weight loss, and exercise all play a role in the treatment of PCOS. For example, being overweight causes your body to produce more insulin, which can lead to PCOS, so losing weight is an important part of treating PCOS.
Begin by eating foods high in healthy fats and lean protein, such as avocados, seeds, nuts, chicken, and fish.
5. PCOS Has A Domino Effect
As previously stated, if left untreated, PCOS can lead to other health issues. While cancer is a serious diagnosis, PCOS can affect your body in other ways as well. Because of its connection to insulin, untreated PCOS, for example, can lead to type 1 diabetes.
6. OBGYNs Help Those With PCOS
OBGYNs are well-trained to assist those suffering from PCOS. Their primary area of expertise is in assisting women with health issues. If you want more opinions, an endocrinologist specializes in hormones and can provide you with additional information.
7. Infertility
Infertility is one of the most common issues associated with PCOS. PCOS interferes with ovulation, making it difficult to become pregnant. Infertility can be devastating for many women who want to have a baby.
Many women, however, have healthy full-term pregnancies after receiving proper diagnosis and treatment. Other parts of the reproductive system are usually functioning normally, and once treatment is effective, many women become pregnant.
Medications
Treatment for infertility may include the following for inducing ovulation:
- Clomiphene citrate
- Corticosteroids
- Metformin increases spontaneous ovulation for women with insulin resistance/increased insulin production
Treatment for those not interested in conceiving a child may include:
- Depo-Provera injections to decrease endometrial hyperplasia
- Oral progestin
- Oral combination contraceptive containing estrogen and progestin
Physical Therapy Management
By targeting menstrual irregularities and promoting ovulation, exercise training has shown significant improvement in 50 percent of women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS. Weight loss is an important component of the physical therapy program because it improves glucose intolerance, which in turn may resolve the reproductive and metabolic issues that are frequently associated with PCOS. Weight loss may also decrease the pulse amplitude of luteinizing hormone, lowering androgen production.
Physical therapists should be aware of how Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) manifests clinically. PCOS can cause low back pain, sacral pain, and lower quadrant abdominal pain in women. A thorough patient history, on the other hand, can provide information about a gynecologic/metabolic connection. The possibility of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) necessitates an immediate referral to a physician.
When treating patients with a history of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) for a non-related condition, be aware of related medical concerns that may impair the patient's ability to participate in activities, such as glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.
The side effects of medications must also be considered. For example, the ovulation inducer clomiphene citrate has side effects such as insomnia, nausea/vomiting, blurry vision, and frequent urination.
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