By CHIOMA UMEHA
There’s no test to definitively diagnose PCOS.
Your doctor is likely to start with a discussion of your medical history,
including your menstrual periods and weight changes. A physical exam will
include checking for signs of excess hair growth, insulin resistance and acne.
Your doctor might then recommend:
•A pelvic exam. The doctor visually and manually
inspects your reproductive organs for masses, growths or other abnormalities.
• Blood tests. Your blood may be analyzed to
measure hormone levels. This testing can exclude possible causes of menstrual
abnormalities or androgen excess that mimics PCOS. You might have additional
blood testing to measure glucose tolerance and fasting cholesterol and
triglyceride levels.
• An ultrasound. Your doctor checks the appearance
of your ovaries and the thickness of the lining of your uterus. A wandlike
device (transducer) is placed in your vagina (transvaginal ultrasound). The
transducer emits sound waves that are translated into images on a computer
screen.
If you have a diagnosis of PCOS, your doctor might
recommend additional tests for complications. Those tests can include:
• Periodic checks of blood pressure, glucose
tolerance, and cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• Screening for depression and anxiety
• Screening for obstructive sleep apnea
How is it treated?
Lifestyle changes: Your doctor may recommend
weight loss through a low-calorie diet combined with moderate exercise
activities. Even a modest reduction in your weight – for example, losing five per cent of your body weight – might improve your condition. Losing
weight may also increase the effectiveness of medications your doctor
recommends for PCOS, and can help with infertility.
Regular exercise, healthy foods, and weight
control are the key treatments for PCOS. Treatment can reduce unpleasant
symptoms and help prevent long-term health problems.
• Try to fit in moderate activity and/or vigorous
activity often. Walking is a great exercise that most people can do.
• Eat heart-healthy foods. This includes lots of
vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, and whole grains. It limits foods that are
high in saturated fat, such as meats, cheeses, and fried foods.
• Most women who have PCOS can benefit from losing
weight. Even losing 10 lb (4.5 kg) may help get your hormones in balance and
regulate your menstrual cycle.
• If you smoke, consider quitting. Women who smoke
have higher androgen levels that may contribute to PCOS symptoms.1
Your doctor also may prescribe birth control pills
to reduce symptoms to help you have regular menstrual cycles, or fertility
medicines if you are having trouble getting pregnant.
