PCOS Care
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects your menstrual periods, causes infertility, and increases your risk for chronic diseases. At Endocrine Help, Dr. Ana Silva specializes in treating Endocrine problems such as PCOS. Dr. Ana offers comprehensive medical and nutritional support for PCOS from her web-based practice, allowing women throughout Florida to receive treatment without going to a medical office. If you need expert help for PCOS, schedule an appointment using the online booking tool.
PCOS FAQs
What causes PCOS?
PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) is an Endocrine disorder that develops when women have high levels of insulin and androgens (male hormones). Women normally produce a small amount of androgens, but at high levels you can disrupt the pituitary-ovarian feedback. As a result, ovulation and menstruation stop or become irregular.
What symptoms can develop from PCOS?
When you have PCOS, you experience at least two of the three primary symptoms:
Abnormal menstrual periods: You may have heavy, irregular, or infrequent periods, or no periods at all.
Ovarian cysts with or without physical symptoms. Women with PCOS may or may not have ovarian cysts. You can also have ovarian cysts and not have PCOS. Ovarian cysts may not cause symptoms, but if they do, you experience pelvic pain, bloating, or pressure in your lower abdomen.
Excessive androgen symptoms: Women with high levels of androgens develop symptoms such as hair loss, acne, and dark hair growth on their face, chest, abdomen, and upper thighs. Excessive, unwanted hair growth, a condition called hirsutism, affects more than 70% of women with PCOS.
Can PCOS cause health problems?
PCOS increases your risk for health conditions such as:
Infertility
Weight gain
Type 2 diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Endometrial cancer
Cardiovascular disease
If untreated, the hormone imbalances associated with PCOS create cycles that continue to make the problem worse. For example, insulin resistance leads to weight gain and weight gain worsens insulin resistance.
How can PCOS be treated?
As an endocrinologist, Dr. Ana has the expertise to create an effective and customized treatment plan that addresses your individual PCOS symptoms.
In addition to balancing your hormone levels, Dr. Silva provides comprehensive care that includes:
Nutrition counseling: Small changes in your diet can alleviate problems such as high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and hypertension. Nutrition counseling also helps you lose weight. Weight loss alone may improve your menstrual cycles, improve insulin levels, and relieve PCOS symptoms.
Medication: Hormonal birth control methods, anti-androgen medicines, and metformin are three examples of medications that may be used to treat PCOS symptoms. These drugs can help regulate your menstrual cycles, improve acne, reduce hirsutism and hair loss, and treat insulin resistance. Metformin may also help you lose weight and improve your cholesterol levels.
Supplements: There are many supplements that can assist in controlling PCOS. These should be individualized to your specific needs.
If you suffer from irregular periods, hirsutism, or pelvic pain, Dr. Silva offers the help you need through telehealth services, and direct texting options are available. You can easily schedule an appointment at your convenience using the online booking tool.