Polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS, is a metabolic and hormonal condition in which a woman's body produces excess androgens, male hormones. It is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age, affecting 6-12% of women worldwide.( 1 )
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
Symptoms vary widely; not every woman necessarily experiences every one of them, and some symptoms may indicate a problem other than PCOS.
The most common manifestations include:
- Irregular cycle, missed period, or very light bleeding
- Hair growth on the face, chest, arms or abdomen – in places where we know it mainly in men
- Acne or oily skin
- Infertility or difficulty conceiving due to irregular cycles and anovulation
- Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound
- Increased weight, especially in the abdominal area
- Excessive hair loss
- Small skin growths on the neck or armpits
- Dark or thick skin patches on the back of the neck, in the armpits, and under the breasts
How can the functional approach of Femvie experts help me if I have symptoms of PCOS?
Have you been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and have been recommended medication or hormonal contraception to reduce androgen levels? This may work, but if the main cause of high androgens is improper eating habits and you do not change your diet in any way, you will not solve the original problem that caused PCOS in the first place.
And this is exactly where a functional approach and experts focused on hormonal health can be helpful. PCOS is very complex. For some, the trigger is an inappropriate diet and subsequent insulin resistance , for other women stress plays a major role , and in some cases, androgen levels have increased significantly only a few months after stopping contraception . And that is why it is so important to primarily identify the cause and driving force of PCOS, which a gynecologist often does not have enough space and time for, even if he or she wanted to.
To properly understand the diagnosis, an ultrasound image of polycystic ovaries is not enough, but it is necessary to know the values of androgens and other reproductive hormones, the state of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands. Thanks to all the results, you often come to the conclusion that it may not actually be PCOS at all. In this article, you will find out why.
Try individual online consultations
A one-on-one consultation with our Femvie experts can be a great way to uncover the causes of your problems and finally achieve optimal health.
Although doctors do an irreplaceable job, due to full capacity, they only have a limited amount of time for each patient. In the allotted time, they may not be able to ask all the necessary questions about diet, psychological state, or lifestyle.
During the Femvie online consultation, we discuss everything in detail, which is why each one lasts approx. 90 min.+ and at times you will feel like you are the only one talking. In the office, there is no space for a doctor to go through all aspects of your lifestyle with you and recommend what you should focus on personally. However, our Femvie experts have the space to do this . After the consultation, you will not only receive general advice like through a photocopier, but written individual recommendations that will be in line with your current life.
Remember that you are not alone, Femvie experts are here to support you and help you understand your health and set up everything that needs to change.
