Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Exercising and eating healthily and NOT losing weight is a very frustrating problem, and it’s even worse when your weight actually increases while you’re doing all the right things! Women of all age groups can have weight problems.  Sometimes the weight problem is due to low thyroid function, but often the thyroid function test results are normal.  Generally, physicians advise you to keep doing more of the same things: follow a healthy diet and exercise more.  But you’ve already been doing this.

If you’re having these problems and you also have irregular periods, facial hair growth, or acne then you may have a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).  Women with PCOS usually have abnormal hormone levels that cause their symptoms.  Birth control pills can help regulate menstrual cycles and decrease facial hair growth and acne, but they do not correct the metabolic disturbances causing weight gain.  These can, however, be treated with other medications, and this can help with weight control.  Blood testing should be done to see if you have PCOS and can benefit from this type of treatment.

Dr. Clark has extensive experience in treating women with PCOS and the hormonal imbalances that it causes.  If you’re trying to conceive, having PCOS and irregular cycles may make it harder for you to get pregnant.  Irregular menstrual cycles are a sign of infrequent or abnormal ovulation.  Using medications such as clomiphene citrate or letrozole can make it possible for you to ovulate more frequently, increasing your chances of conceiving.  Dr. Clark has helped many women with PCOS achieve their dream of becoming pregnant and will be happy to assist you, too.  She has had advanced training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and you can trust her to find the best solution for you.