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PMOS (PCOS) Clinic

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome affects about 1 in 5 women. It's not a disease, but a hormonal condition, and very few women have exactly the same symptoms.

Overview

What is PMOS (PCOS)?

Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS/PCOS) symptoms can include weight gain, difficulty conceiving, irregular or infrequent periods, and excessive hair growth (hirsutism).

Hormones affected include insulin and androgens (male hormones), particularly testosterone, which can cause acne and hair in unusual places. High androgen and insulin levels can prevent regular ovulation, which is why conceiving naturally can be harder, though not always the case; contraception is still needed if you’re not planning a pregnancy.

Women with PMOS (PCOS) also experience depression and anxiety more commonly, whether from the hormonal changes themselves or from coping with the physical symptoms.

Very few women have exactly the same symptoms.

Diagnosis

PMOS (PCOS) is diagnosed when at least 2 of 3 criteria are met: 12 or more follicles on one ultrasound, high androgen levels or symptoms suggesting this (like hirsutism or acne), and irregular or absent periods. Investigations usually include a pelvic ultrasound, blood tests, and a full history and examination including BMI.

Cystic-looking ovaries on ultrasound alone don’t mean PMOS (PCOS); many women have this appearance without having the condition. This is because cysts on the ovaries are actually follicles that contain eggs.

What causes PMOS (PCOS)

There is no clearly identified cause of PMOS (PCOS), although there are associations that run within families, in women who have insulin resistance, women who are overweight, and women from certain ethnic groups.

The association with insulin resistance is complex because women with PMOS (PCOS) may have insulin resistance as a result of their family history or genes and therefore more likely to develop PMOS (PCOS), but women who are overweight are more likely to develop insulin resistance as well, or there may be a combination of factors.

PMOS (PCOS) Diagnosis

PMOS (PCOS) is diagnosed when at least 2 of the 3 following are met:

If you think you may have PMOS (PCOS) you can see your GP or any of the doctors at Clinic 66 and we will help with some investigations, which will usually include an ultrasound of the pelvis, blood tests, and a full history and examination including BMI (body mass index).

PMOS (PCOS)

Management

A good GP or any of doctors at Clinic 66 can help you manage your PMOS (PCOS). It requires a multidisciplinary approach looking at diet, exercise, and sometimes medications. The key to management of PMOS (PCOS) is to understand and manage lifestyle accordingly.

In particular, weight loss (if overweight) can have significant benefit on PMOS (PCOS) and other aspects of health including reducing the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, there is only one way to lose weight effectively and for the long term which is to burn off more calories than you take in.

Women with PMOS (PCOS) should aim to do 30 minutes of regular exercise in order to increase the heart rate such as brisk walking, cycling, rowing, and team sports. There are also some medications used to manage PMOS (PCOS) and these may include the oral contraceptive pill, Metformin, and sometimes other drugs which can affect the hormones, help with weight loss or reduce anxiety or treat depression.

If you think you may have PMOS (PCOS), make an appointment; come and see any of our consulting doctors, we will help you make a diagnosis and create a management plan which will help you achieve what you want to achieve and improve your symptoms relating to PMOS (PCOS).

Why Clinic 66