6 Treatment options for people with pcos & bull; hello healthy

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a fertility disorder that is prone to occur in women of childbearing age. This condition causes the hormones in a woman's body to be out of balance due to unknown factors. The typical symptoms of PCOS are irregular menstruation, increased levels of male hormones (androgens), and the appearance of multiple cysts on the ovaries. The following are the most commonly recommended treatment options for people with PCOS.

How to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Before determining the best PCOS treatment for you, your doctor will first ask about your medical history. Questions could include changes in body weight and menstrual cycles so far.

The physical exam then includes a check for hair growth where it shouldn't be, excessive acne, and insulin resistance. The growth of fine hair on the body and the appearance of acne in people with PCOS are caused by increased androgen hormones.

If the symptoms that appear are suspected of being a sign of PCOS, the doctor will continue with a pelvic examination, blood tests, and ultrasoundto confirm the diagnosis

If necessary, you will also undergo screening for symptoms of depression and anxiety, screening for symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, as well as regular checks for blood pressure, glucose tolerance, cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels.

Treatment options for treating PCOS symptoms

Once the diagnosis has been established, here are the treatment options for treating PCOS:

1. Change your lifestyle

Your doctor will generally recommend that you change your day-to-day habits as the initial treatment for PCOS.

These changes will usually be focused on a healthier diet to maintain an ideal body weight.

People with PCOS are encouraged to limit their consumption of fatty and high sugar foods. We recommend that you consume more fibrous foods, because these foods increase sugar levels slowly.

In addition to changing diet, exercise also needs to be done regularly to control blood sugar and insulin levels in the body.

2. Use contraceptives

The use of contraceptives is the most common method of treatment for women with PCOS who do not wish to become pregnant.

You can choose contraceptives in the form of birth control pills, vaginal rings, injections, or an IUD (spiral birth control). Hormonal drugs can also be taken to treat PCOS. One of them is the progestin hormone to help smooth the menstrual cycle and reduce the risk of uterine cancer.

If birth control and hormonal medications haven't stopped hair growth after at least six months of use, your doctor may prescribe spiroolactone. This drug aims to reduce the levels of androgen hormones in the body.

However, spiroolactone should not be consumed by pregnant women or women who are planning a pregnancy because it can cause birth defects.

3. Take the drug metformin

Metformin, which is commonly used as a diabetes drug, can also be prescribed for PCOS. This drug specifically works to reduce insulin resistance and fertility problems due to PCOS.

Metformin works in three ways, namely suppressing glucose production in the liver, reducing the absorption of carbohydrates consumed, and increasing the sensitivity of the liver, muscle, fat, and cells to insulin made by the body.

Metformin consumption also helps increase ovulation, regulates the menstrual cycle, reduces the symptoms of hirsutism (such as acne and excess hair growth), loses weight (if accompanied by a healthy diet and exercise), and reduces the risk of gestational diabetes that women with PCOS are prone to.

The average dose of metformin for women with PCOS is about 1500-2000 milligrams (mg) per day. However, the exact number for your case will certainly need further discussion with your doctor.

4. Use a peat remover

Hair removal medications are called depilatory and can come in the form of creams, gels, or lotions. This drug works to break down the protein structure of the hair so that it falls out of the skin.

People with PCOS can also undergo electrolysis (a cosmetic procedure to remove hair from the roots using an electric current) and laser therapy.

5. Consumption of fertility drugs

For women with PCOS who want to become pregnant, doctors may prescribe special drugs to trigger ovulation such as clomiphene and letrozole.

If these treatments don't work, your doctor may recommend injections of a hormone called gonadotropins for PCOS women who are planning to become pregnant.