As women learn more and more about PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), many have come up with different ideas and questions about the condition. With so many resources available, it can be difficult to distinguish which ones are worth listening to. Too many sources can lead to bouts of misinformation, resulting in myths about PCOS. Paying attention to these myths can lead to women having the wrong idea about what is happening in their bodies.
As your trusted doctor’s office, Chapel Hill Gynecology is here to dispel the myths about PCOS and get you the truth. There is no reason to be misinformed and frightened by inaccurate sources.
Common Myths About PCOS
You Can’t Get Pregnant With PCOS
While it is often assumed that patients with PCOS cannot get pregnant, that is not always the case. This is one of the most common myths about PCOS. You can talk to your doctor about fertility treatments and look at your specific scenario to see what would work best. This condition does require these further steps, but it is not the end of possibility. It is more of a realization that you must also try other methods.
It Is A Rare Condition
While PCOS has definitely started to come on the scene as a topic of conversation recently, it has been around and common for people for a long time. The Office of Women’s Health reports that PCOS affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. Women consistently face problems with hormone balance and everything in between.
PCOS Only Affects Overweight Women
Not only women who are deemed overweight are affected by PCOS. Balancing your weight can help with hormone levels, but it does not mean that the weight leads directly to PCOS. This condition does not discriminate against the women it affects. However, PCOS can change the body’s ability to use insulin properly, leading to weight gain.
You Did Something To Cause It
Myths about PCOS can make you overwhelmed. You did not do something to cause the condition PCOS. There are many theories and reasons why people think PCOS comes to be, but you are not one of them. Genetics and external factors can all play a role in its development. Typically, women with PCOS have a higher level of androgens. The higher levels of this hormone can lead to irregular period cycles and prevent ovulation.
Irregular Periods Mean That You Have PCOS
Women can have irregular periods for many reasons unrelated to PCOS. While this is still something to discuss with your doctor, it could be due to changes in your birth control, stress, diet, and perhaps pregnancy. There are too many reasons other than PCOS to assume that an irregular period signifies that. Before assuming it is, you can talk to your doctor about running the necessary blood tests to see if it is PCOS.
Birth Control Causes PCOS
There are many myths about PCOS being caused by how birth control affects your body. This is also not an accurate statement. Doctors often use birth control as a way to treat the menstrual irregularities of PCOS. However, that is only a treatment method when the patient is trying to relieve the symptoms but not trying to get pregnant.
PCOS is not a condition to fear when you have a deeper understanding. By dispelling the myths about PCOS, you can have confidence in your body’s ability to handle the symptoms and feel better. You can do everything you want with the correct treatment plan, no matter your diagnosis. Are you interested in a blood test to see if you have PCOS? Our team at Chapel Hill Gynecology is here with you every step of the way. Check out our website or give us a call for more information today.
