October 28th, 2010

Do you find it almost impossible to lose weight? Many of the women (including teenagers) that we see in our Lifetime Health Weight Loss Clinics suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Most struggle tremendously with weight issues. They have tried many diets and have exercised as much as they possibly can but are frustrated by their inability to lose weight.

Besides struggling with their weight, these women often have difficult or irregular periods. They may suffer from heavy bleeding, migraines, irritability, moodiness, depression and other symptoms. They may even experience infertility, miscarriages, postpartum depression and skin problems. Many have facial hair or may notice excessive hair on their arms or legs. Some women have only a few of these symptoms while others have many. Some are not even overweight.

PCOS affects about 10% of women worldwide and can occur at any age before menopause. Many teenagers struggle to lose weight because they have not been properly diagnosed and treated. Fortunately, because of our extensive experience with bio-identical hormones, we are able to recognize this Syndrome. Regardless of which symptoms may be present, a simple lab test can establish the existence of PCOS.

PCOS itself is not a disease and the cause is unknown other than an imbalance in hormones. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance. It often goes undiagnosed because its symptoms overlap with so many other women’s health concerns.

General Information for PCOS.

The most common symptoms of PCOS are an irregular period, infertility, increased hair growth and unusual weight gain, even with dieting or increased exercise. Women with PCOS can go for months without a period and then start bleeding heavily for days. Because PCOS disrupts ovulation it can be very difficult to become pregnant. Low progesterone levels can contribute to all of these symptoms

Other signs of PCOS can include acne, high blood pressure, obesity, and abnormal facial and body hair growth (due to too much testosterone). One of the less recognizable symptoms of PCOS is depression, which can be misread as a bipolar illness. While depression stems from many factors, we think it is always a good idea to consider PCOS if patients have other symptoms. In some medical practices, antidepressants are prescribed which do not alleviate the underlying issues and therefore are not very helpful.

PCOS and Insulin Resistance

Another telltale symptom of PCOS is steady, significant weight gain—even with reduced caloric intake. Some women report that they’re gaining weight no matter what they do. It’s not unusual for patients with PCOS to experience recent weight gain of 60 or more pounds in less than a year despite dieting all the time and exercise. This weight usually accumulates around their middle. This rapid weight gain is strongly linked with insulin resistance.

Call for a complimentary consultation if you suspect you may have PCOS.