So, your periods are all out of whack. Maybe your flow is ridiculously heavy or maybe you just quit having them all together. You might even have trouble getting pregnant. And what about all this extra weight that you can’t get rid of? Not to mention the embarrassing body hair that is increasingly more difficult to hide or bleach. Oh, and don’t forget about the depression. “What is wrong with me??” you probably ask yourself in a heap of frustration. After all, these aren’t always symptoms you see your doctor for anyway. At least not the individual symptoms. But you may not even realize that they are all connected.

If you can identify with this scenario, then you need to visit your healthcare practitioner soon because there’s a good chance you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). And if left untreated, over time it can lead to much more serious health problems, like diabetes and heart disease. And don’t forget that heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women, so PCOS is nothing to mess around with. But just what is it and is it possible to treat it without surgery?

What Exactly is PCOS?

Would you believe that PCOS is one of the most common reproduction and endocrine disorders that affects women within the reproductive age range? I suspect most of us are unaware of that because of two reasons. First, as previously mentioned, we do not likely associate the individual symptoms as related and so may not be likely to discuss it with our doctors. The second reason is also related to communication, in that we do not often have open discussions about these topics because it’s some sort of social taboo. So, let’s bring this information into the light, shall we?

In short, one medical clinic sums up PCOS this way: “It is a leading cause of female infertility and occurs due to an imbalance in the female sex hormones. As a result, women experience female reproduction and fertility issues, changes in menstrual cycle, skin changes, ovarian cysts and other symptoms related to the female reproduction system.”

The Mayo Clinic explains that symptoms usually develop during puberty around the time you start your first period. However, it can certainly develop later. They add that you will probably get a diagnosis of PCOS if you experience at least two of the following symptoms: irregular periods, excess androgen, and polycystic ovaries. But other experts offer a bigger picture of signs to look for:

• Menstrual problems. These can include few or no menstrual periods or heavy, irregular bleeding.
• Hair loss from the scalp and hair growth (hirsutism) on the face, chest, back, stomach, thumbs, or toes.
• Acne and oily skin
• Fertility problems, such as not releasing an egg (not ovulating) or repeat miscarriages.
• Insulin resistance and too much insulin (hyperinsulinemia), which can cause things like upper body obesity and skin tags.
• Depression or mood swings.
• Breathing problems while sleeping (obstructive sleep apnea). This is linked to both obesity and insulin resistance.

How is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Treated?

There is actually no cure for PCOS, so you are essentially relegated to symptom management. And remember that there are serious health concerns related to this condition. That’s because PCOS is linked to high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, and high cholesterol. The PCOS Awareness Association echoes the suggestions of most medical treatment options: “Your doctor may offer different medicines that can treat symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, excess hair, and elevated blood sugar. Fertility treatments are available to help women get pregnant. Losing as little as 5% excess weight can help women ovulate more regularly and lessen other PCOS symptoms. The ideal way to do this is through nutrition and exercise.”

PCOS and Fertility

Most treatment options will focus on adjusting getting your hormone levels back in balance with an emphasis on a heart-healthy diet and moderate exercise. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to deal with excessive cysts. This is especially true where infertility is a problem. Typically, however, it is a last resort. Experts add, “Surgery is less likely to lead to multiple pregnancies than taking fertility medicines. It is not known how long the benefits from surgery will last. There is some concern that ovarian surgery can cause scar tissue, which can lead to pain or more fertility problems.”

The bottom line is that if you are dealing with these symptoms, you need to visit your healthcare practitioner and discuss treatment options, as well as potential or experienced damage to your heart. And if you are interested in alternative treatments for this condition, you might consider Traditional Chinese Medicine which sees PCOS as a spleen and liver problem.