PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Surprisingly, up to 20% of women may have polycystic ovaries - enlarged ovaries with a thick central area surrounded by a ring of small fluid-filled cysts at the edge of the ovaries. In most women this goes unnoticed, but in a proportion of affected women, the ovaries start to produce abnormal amounts of male type hormones resulting in PCOS. The male hormones produce excess hair growth, acne and irregular periods. Some women also gain weight, have difficulty in conceiving, and show high levels of insulin even though they are not diabetic.

With its focus on diabetes and metabolic disturbances related to insulin and experts in all areas of endocrinology, the team at London Medical can provide a comprehensive package of care for women with PCOS.

PCOS requires careful diagnosis and discussion of the treatment options available with specialists who have experience of the condition and the drugs used. .

Treatment regimens at London Medical include:

• A special low glycaemic weight loss programme and help with nutrition
• Oestrogen-containing medicines (often the oral contraceptive pill)
• Drugs that counteract the actions of male hormones (these are cyproterone, flutamide or finasteride)
• Drugs to help restore normal insulin sensitivity (metformin)
• Drugs to help conception in those women trying to become pregnant (clomiphene)

As well as having blood tests to assess their hormone levels, pelvic ultrasound, done by an experienced ultrasonographer, is routinely used for ovarian assessment.