If you think that you PCOS, please visit your GP. They’ll likely refer you to a gynaecologist clinic like https://holisticgynae.com/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-pcos/ for menstrual or fertility issues. Alternatively, they may refer you to an endocrinologist for hormone balance and insulin resistance
Now, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition common in people with ovaries during their childbearing years. It’s marked by irregular periods, high levels of “male” hormones like testosterone, and often ovaries with many small fluid-filled sacs.
About 1 in 10 is thought to have PCOS, though many go undiagnosed. If you have PCOS, you might notice missed or unpredictable periods, acne, excess facial or body hair, thinning scalp hair, weight gain especially around the tummy, and trouble getting pregnant.
In today’s guide, we will let you in on how to fix PCOS. But before that;
Is PCOS a Serious Problem?
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects around 6–13 % of women of reproductive age. And, it is more than a reproductive issue as it carries wider health consequences that make.
So yes, PCOS is a serious problem. To begin, PCOS often leads to irregular or absent periods, high levels of male hormones, acne, and weight gain.
These symptoms cannot only give your confidence a hit but also affect your daily wellbeing. The hormone imbalance also means reduced fertility and a leading cause of infertility in women.
PCOS also increases metabolic risks. Many people with PCOS develop insulin resistance more than half by age 40, and have up to seven times higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
They also face higher rates of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease. Long-term concerns tied to PCOS include an increased risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer due to irregular shedding of the uterine lining.
Mental health is less talked about but is also critical. Rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and lower wellbeing are consistently higher in women with PCOS.
What Triggers PCOS?
Dealing with PCOS isn’t easy and a question that may frequently bug you is; what triggers my PCOS? Here is a good answer;
PCOS doesn’t have a single trigger. Instead, it results from a mix of factors that together disrupt hormonal balance and ovarian function. If you have PCOS, here is a roundup of factors that may have triggered it;
- Genetics: If you have a close female relative with PCOS, your risk goes up. Researchers link several genes to insulin control and inflammation. These genes may affect how you process hormones during your menstrual cycle. That inherited tendency can set the stage for the hormonal imbalance that causes PCOS, often silently.
- Insulin resistance: When your cells resist insulin, your pancreas makes extra. Too much insulin triggers your ovaries to release more male hormone. Those higher androgen levels can stop your regular ovulation. As a result, you may see acne, extra facial hair or irregular periods month after month, often.
- Low-grade inflammation: Your body may carry mild, ongoing inflammation in fat or muscle tissue. That triggers extra androgen release. It also impairs how insulin works by confusing signals between cells. Over time, this fuss can pile on hormonal swings and make ovulation more erratic, feeding into your PCOS symptoms, often quietly, persistently.
- Weight and lifestyle: Carrying extra weight can worsen insulin resistance and shift your hormones. Diets high in sugar or fat raise your blood sugar, testing your pancreas. Sitting long hours and little exercise add to the problem. Those factors combine to throw your cycle out of sync and fuel PCOS.
- Early life factors: Events before birth or in childhood may shape your hormone system. Exposure to high androgens in the womb or to chemicals that mimic hormones can alter ovarian development. Rapid weight gain in early years may also strain insulin control. Those hits can leave your body prone to PCOS.
Can PCOS can be Cured?
Your doctor may diagnose PCOS using blood tests for hormone levels, an ultrasound to check your ovaries and a review of your menstrual history. You must meet at least two of these criteria.
Now to answer the question, can PCOS be cured, there is no cure for PCOS. However, that doesn’t mean the end of the road as there are several ways you can manage symptoms. Here are some recommendations your doctor may give to fix PCOS;
- Lifestyle and Diet
You can ease PCOS symptoms by tweaking what you eat and how you move. Aim for a balanced plate of veg, lean protein and whole grains.
Small weight loss often restores regular cycles. Steady exercise, like brisk walking or gentle strength training, boosts insulin response.
You will also want to cut back on sugar, refined carbs and processed snacks. These habits can reshape your hormones and help fix PCOS.
Hormone-regulating Medication
You can choose hormone pills if you don’t plan to get pregnant. Combined contraceptives even out your cycle and ease acne.
If you can’t take oestrogen, you may be prescribed a progestin-only option to protect your lining. To tackle excess hair, your doctor may add spironolactone or a topical cream. You should get fewer side effects when you pair these with daily, simple healthy lifestyle steps.
Improving Insulin Sensitivity
You can add metformin to help your body use insulin better. It also supports gentle weight loss and may restart ovulation.
If lifestyle change alone doesn’t cut glucose spikes, this pill often helps. You take it with meals to avoid stomach upset.
Your doctor will monitor your blood levels. Emerging therapies, like GLP-1 analogues, need more study but show potential.
Targeted Fertility Treatments
When you want a baby, your doctor may start with drugs like letrozole or clomiphene to spur ovulation. If these don’t work, you may get gonadotropin injections.
Or, a minor surgical drill on your ovaries. That can release more egg follicles.
If you still struggle to conceive, in vitro fertilisation offers a final option. You track your cycle each month.
Supplements and Alternative Approaches
You may also want to try supplements like myo-inositol or D-chiro-inositol to support hormone balance and ovulation. Some women find vitamin D helpful if they are low.
Evidence for herbal or acupuncture treatments is mixed, and results vary. That said, before you start any supplement, it will help to test your blood levels and talk to your doctor.
Keep doses low and watch side effects. Importantly, stick only to well-known reliable brands when possible.
In Closing
There is no specific cure for PCOS but a women’s health specialist can help you find remedies that can bring it under control. Keep in mind that PCOS is serious because it touches on fertility, metabolism, heart and mental health.
So, it is best to seek early diagnosis and treatment if you’re concerned about your health. A skilled provider can help you manage these risks and improve quality of life. To learn more about PCOS management in Singapore and see what can work for you, call or visit us at;
Holistic Gynaecology & Fertility
290 Orchard Rd, #13-08 Paragon Medical Centre, Singapore 238859
