An Update on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS – is it all in your head?

Our very own Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, along with researchers at University of Michigan have recently published their findings showing that Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a disease affecting the brain.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a very common problem – affecting about six million women in the United States. Polycystic ovary syndrome is defined as having two out of the following three signs or symptoms: irregular or even absent periods, evidence of high androgen or male hormone levels (acne and hair growth are a couple of signs); and/or polycystic appearing ovaries – this refers to multiple, small follicles seen on the ovary.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome may have problems getting pregnant and even staying pregnant because of the abnormal hormone levels involved. If pregnancy is your goal, a reproductive endocrinologist will check hormone levels and devise a treatment plan hopefully resulting in a pregnancy. The abnormal hormone levels involved can also have an effect on a woman’s metabolism. Problems with obesity and insulin resistance are also very common.

Women with PCOS have abnormal secretion of hormones involved in the opioid system. This system has effects in the brain as well as elsewhere in the body. The opioid system controls appetite, food cravings, mood, how we think, our stress response, and sleep. What does this mean for women with PCOS? This could explain why women with PCOS may have problems with food cravings, depression, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and are at increased risk for sleep apnea, and score lower on memory tests. Treatment plans to address these issues involve medication to reduce insulin levels as well as testosterone levels. Treating the symptoms of PCOS have been shown to improve your quality of life.

We are learning more and more about the effects of PCOS. Our reproductive endocrinologists at Laurel Fertility Care are specialists on PCOS and its effects on pregnancy. Please contact us for more information.

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Laurel Fertility Care features a nationally accredited state-of-the-art laboratory allowing us to provide some of the latest assisted reproductive techniques, including; IVF, ICSI, IUI, egg preservation, egg donation, and IVF surrogacy. Laurel Fertility Care has three convenient locations in the Bay Area: In San Francisco, serving Berkley, Oakland, San Mateo, Palo Alto and San Jose. In Mill Valley, serving Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Napa, American Canyon and Marin County. In Modesto, serving Fresno, Tracy, Stockton, Livermore, Manteca and Sacramento.