Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age worldwide.
How common is PCOS?
Various studies estimate that PCOS affects between 5% and 26% of women of reproductive age, depending on the diagnostic criteria used. One of the most widely accepted diagnostic criteria includes the absence of ovulation (and menstruation), elevated levels of male hormones (androgens), and the presence of polycystic ovaries. The diagnosis is established when at least two of these three criteria are present, after excluding other medical conditions that may mimic PCOS.
Why is delayed diagnosis a problem?
A delayed diagnosis can worsen a woman’s current health condition and postpone the implementation of lifestyle changes, which are the cornerstone of symptom management and improving quality of life.
Who is at increased risk of developing PCOS?
A higher risk of developing PCOS has been associated with a family history of the condition, excess body weight during puberty, being born with either low or high birth weight, and early onset of menstruation.
What symptoms can women with PCOS experience?
Women with PCOS often experience irregular menstrual cycles. This may include menstrual cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 45 days, cycles lasting longer than 35 days more than three years after the first menstrual period, an absence of menstruation for 90 days or more, or failure to start menstruating by the age of 15.
Changes affecting the skin and body hair are also common due to increased androgen levels. Women may develop acne that is resistant to conventional treatment—approximately 40% of women with severe acne are found to have PCOS. Other symptoms include hair loss from the scalp and excessive hair growth (hirsutism), particularly dark hair appearing on the chest, back and legs.
Additional symptoms may include weight gain, infertility, increased muscle mass, reduced breast size, deepening of the voice, and enlargement of the clitoris.
It is important to remember that other medical conditions may also cause all of these symptoms. For this reason, it is essential to choose a healthcare provider you trust—one that brings together an experienced multidisciplinary team, modern diagnostic technology and a comprehensive laboratory capable of performing the necessary investigations.
Diagnostic options at IMC Priora
At IMC Priora, patients are cared for by a team of experienced gynecologists with extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating PCOS. A pelvic ultrasound examination can be performed to assess the ovaries and identify polycystic ovaries, which are among the key diagnostic criteria.
In addition, comprehensive hormonal testing is available through our in-house laboratory to exclude other conditions that may present with symptoms similar to PCOS. Depending on the physician’s assessment, laboratory testing may include Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), androstenedione, insulin, assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA Index), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, prolactin, total cortisol, total testosterone, free testosterone, and other relevant hormonal analyses.
Where indicated, patients can also undergo further evaluation and treatment for diabetes mellitus or elevated blood lipid levels, as these conditions are frequently associated with symptoms resembling PCOS.
How is PCOS treated?
The primary and most effective treatment for PCOS is lifestyle modification. Healthy lifestyle habits remain the foundation of successful long-term management, and fertility may improve with as little as a 5% reduction in body weight.
Lifestyle changes include increasing physical activity and adopting healthier eating habits. Progress can be monitored by measuring body weight, waist and hip circumference, and blood lipid levels.
When medication is required, treatment most commonly involves hormonal contraceptive therapy, particularly in women experiencing menstrual irregularities, excessive hair growth, or acne. At IMC Priora, contraceptive therapy is prescribed by experienced gynecologists, who work together with each patient to select the treatment option best suited to her individual needs.
