Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Committed To Investigating the Underlying Reason for Your Infertility
Ruling out Possible Disorders
At our center, we perform an extensive evaluation of each patient, starting with a detailed medical history, and then complete a thorough examination. Because there is not a specific test that can be performed to identify or diagnose PCOS, Dr. Pinto will evaluate your medical and family history, performs a physical examination, conducts blood tests, and performs a pelvic ultrasound to determine what conditions may be affecting your ability to conceive.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is caused by a female hormonal imbalance that causes small cysts to form on the ovaries. These small cysts on the ovaries can cause fertiliy issues. At your appointment, we will discuss any symptoms you are experiencing and run a series of tests to determine whether you have PCOS. Lifestyle changes, such as eating healthy and exercising, and prescription medications are used to treat this condition. The best fertility treatment will be chosen to move forward if you are trying to become pregnant.
If you are experiencing health conditions that are hindering your ability to conceive, you may be affected by an illness that alters your hormones, which can affect your menstrual cycle, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. Dr. Anil Pinto of the ReproMed Fertility Center in Dallas, Texas, has been effectively diagnosing and treating patients with PCOS for several years. With locations in Dallas, Grapevine, McKinney, Rockwall and Tyler, ReproMed Fertility Center is able to provide concentrated services that are personalized and focused on patients’ individual infertility conditions.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a widespread health condition that is commonly referred to as a hormonal disorder. PCOS is typically found in women who have high levels of male hormones, frequently missed or erratic monthly periods, large cysts on their ovaries, several tiny cysts on their ovaries, have rapid hair growth, or struggle with obesity and acne. According to Woman’s Health between 1 in 10 and 1 in 20 women of childbearing age has PCOS, which means as many as 5 million women in the United States are affected by this fertility disorder.
Are You At Risk?
Although the cause for PCOS has never been pinpointed, Dr. Pinto believes some common factors do play a role in the development of the disorder. Those factors include excessive amounts of insulin in the blood, low-grade inflammation caused by white blood cells, and mutated genes passed down by genetic inheritance. PCOS is common in patients who suffer from:
- Infertility
- Obesity
- Diabetes (type 2)
- Cholesterol abnormalities
- Metabolic syndrome
- Severe liver inflammation
- Sleep Apnea
- Abnormal bleeding
- Cancer caused by excessive exposure to high levels of estrogen
Although PCOS is a frequent health disorder found in mature women, it is not uncommon for young teenagers to be diagnosed with PCOS. Although uncommon, some doctors have even diagnosed patients as young as 11 years old with the syndrome.
Treatment Options
There are several treatments available to patients who have PCOS. Generally, there are a variety of medications that regulate your health and strengthen your level of fertility. Those medications include:
- Metformin – an oral prescription, which lowers insulin levels helping a patient to properly manage type 2 diabetes, regulating menstrual cycles and escalating ovulation.
- Clomiphene citrate – the anti-estrogen medication can be combined with metformin to boost ovulation.
- Gonadotropins – the hormone-stimulating medication can be administered to patients through a needle and can help them conceive if oral medication is ineffective.
- Birth Control Pills – the low dose pill regulates the estrogen produced in your body, managing your monthly bleeding and decreasing your risk of cancer. This method is primarily prescribed to patients who are too young to have children or are not looking to become pregnant.
Contact ReproMed Fertility Center
If you battle infertility, ReproMed Fertility Center offers several options to help you become pregnant. By providing modernized, cutting-edge infertility treatment options, Dr. Pinto or can help at any of our 6 locations in Dallas, McKinney, Rockwall, Tyler and Grapevine, Texas, suffering from PCOS, recurrent pregnancy loss, and male factor infertility conceive the bundle of joy that they have longed for. Contact ReproMed Fertility Center today to schedule an appointment with our skilled specialists!