PCOS or PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal disorder that results from an imbalance of your reproductive hormones. This is a common health issue among women of childbearing age and is one of the most common causes of infertility.

One out of every 10 women of childbearing age is affected by PCOS, often resulting in female infertility. PCOS is often associated with infertility, contributing to infertility in 70 - 80% of women.

If you have PCOS, your ovaries can develop numerous follicles and fail to regularly develop or release eggs within the conventional timeframe. Additionally, you may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone levels.

Causes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):
Its exact cause is still relatively unknown—however, researchers believe genetic predisposition plays a significant factor. Other conditions which likely contribute to the development of PCOS include:

Excess Levels of Androgens
Your body produces androgens (usually referred to as male hormones) in small amounts. If you have PCOS, you create a higher level of androgens—which overshadows the estrogen (female) hormones and prevents normal egg development. Estrogen is responsible for normal ovarian function in the female reproductive system.

High Insulin Levels
Your body produces insulin to transform food into energy. If your cells are not responding appropriately, insulin resistance can occur resulting in higher insulin blood levels. Unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity, and obesity can lead to insulin resistance, commonly found in women with PCOS. If left untreated, this resistance can result in type 2 diabetes.

During your consultation, our team, at ICON IVF, the best fertility centre in Nandyal can perform a thorough evaluation to determine the source of your condition.

Symptoms Associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
If you're unsure about whether or not you’re experiencing PCOS and would like to know the symptoms associated with this syndrome, here’s what you can expect:

Irregular Menstrual Cycle
PCOS can cause irregular or infrequent periods. Alternatively, some women may notice periods arrive every 21 days or even more often. If you leave PCOS untreated, it could lead to the development of small ovarian cysts or infertility.

Hirsutism
Hirsutism occurs if you have excessive hair growth on the face or chin areas and has been known to affect nearly 70 percent of women with PCOS.

Acne
You can experience excessive breakouts on the face, chest, or upper back if currently going through PCOS.

Hair Loss
In contrast to hirsutism, you can experience excessive hair loss, or thinning of hair when diagnosed with PCOS.

Weight Gain
Difficulty losing weight or weight gain with no apparent cause can also indicate a hormone imbalance associated with PCOS.

Darkening of Skin
Women who experience darkened skin areas in the groin, underneath the breasts, or along neck creases could be at a higher risk for PCOS.

Skin Tags
Skin tags, especially in the armpits or on the neck area, could also be a sign of PCOS.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Treatment Options:
At present, there is no cure for PCOS. However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, you have a higher chance of conception and healthy pregnancy.

At ICON IVF, during your initial consultation, our best fertility doctors in Nandyal will walk you through everything you need to know about PCOS at the treatment options you have available to you.

We treat PCOS with two common methods to achieve a healthy pregnancy:

Medications:
The doctor will sometimes prescribe birth control to treat PCOS if you aren't currently looking to get pregnant. However, if trying to conceive, an estrogen modulator such as Clomid (clomiphene citrate) can induce ovulation if PCOS is present.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF):
If medications are not successful, our fertility specialists may recommend IVF as an alternative, as the procedure produces higher pregnancy rates. The doctor will collect the eggs and sperm from you or a surrogate during the treatment and fertilize the egg in our laboratory. They will then implant the embryo into the uterus.

Depending on your unique goals, we can recommend the best PCOS treatment option for you.

If you have recently been affected or are seeking to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), you’ll be in the best of hands.

Our fertility specialists are board-certified in Gynecology, as well as Infertility and will give you the best treatment for PCOS.

Book an appointment with us at ICON IVF on call or online and get highly sophisticated treatment options.