Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver . . . Treatments for PCOS, its specific symptoms, and its associated health problems vary, but they may include medications, lifestyle changes, and ways to address increased hair growth and acne Because PCOS has a broad range of symptoms, health care providers may use a variety of treatments for this condition and its symptoms 1
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) | NICHD - NICHD - Eunice Kennedy . . . PCOS is a set of symptoms related to a hormonal imbalance Symptoms can affect metabolic, cardiovascular, inflammatory, reproductive, and other aspects of health PCOS may cause menstrual cycle changes; skin changes such as increased facial and body hair and acne; growths in one or both ovaries, often clumps of ovarian follicles that have
What are the treatments for PCOS? | NICHD - NICHD - Eunice Kennedy . . . Treatments for PCOS, its specific symptoms, and its associated health problems vary, but they may include medications, lifestyle changes, and ways to address increased hair growth and acne Because PCOS has a broad range of symptoms, health care providers may use a variety of treatments for this condition and its symptoms 1
What causes PCOS? | NICHD - NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National . . . The symptoms of PCOS tend to run in families, so genetics have long been a focus of PCOS research Recent research suggests that there are 19 possible changes, or variants, in genes that can increase a person’s risk of developing PCOS 1 These variants could explain why the features and symptoms of PCOS are so different from one person to the
What are the symptoms of PCOS? | NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver . . . Women with PCOS are at much higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea than others, including those without PCOS and those with obesity 9 Type 2 diabetes If not managed, diabetes can damage the kidneys and can lead to blindness, nerve damage, and foot problems 10 Type 2 diabetes also increases the risk for heart disease and high blood pressure
How do health care providers diagnose PCOS? - NICHD Some adolescents may be deemed “at risk” for PCOS if they have some of its characteristic features, so the health care provider can reevaluate their symptoms and health later in life 1, 2 Researchers are also exploring whether women with PCOS have detectable markers of the condition in childhood and the teen years, to better pinpoint
NICHD: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Womens Health of PCOS in adolescents, developing animal models of PCOS, finding new therapies to treat symptoms, and learning about the effects of the disorder on later generations Success Snapshots Clarifying the Role of Genetics in PCOS PCOS is usually viewed as a disorder of the ovaries, but NICHD-funded research showed that genes associated with PCOS
Treatments for Infertility Resulting from PCOS - NICHD This drug is the most common treatment for infertility in women with PCOS 1 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends clomiphene as the primary medication for women with PCOS-related infertility It is also U S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for treating PCOS-related infertility 6
PCOS Resources | NICHD - NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National . . . PCOS Challenge helps adults and adolescents affected by PCOS manage their health better and reduce their risk for life-threatening related diseases through multimedia educational programming, live events, support groups, grants, health screenings, and advocacy and awareness initiatives Some PCOS Challenge programs and resources include: