Overcome infertility and other symptoms with polycystic ovary syndrome treatment
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a very common endocrine disorder that is also responsible for many cases of female infertility. However, our Dallas-Fort Worth infertility doctors offer hope for patients in the form of diagnosis and polycystic ovary syndrome treatment. Although it can be challenging to determine whether a woman has PCOS, our team has the experience and knowledge to accurately diagnose it.
After diagnosing a woman with this condition, our team gets to work designing a PCOS treatment plan. Our doctors work to make sure that each patient’s plan is influenced by her goals and concerns so that she receives a customized care plan.
Getting the right diagnosis is the key to developing a polycystic ovary syndrome treatment plan
Part of the reason why it’s so difficult to diagnose PCOS is because there is no test to definitively diagnose it. For this reason, our Dallas-Fort Worth infertility doctors typically use several tools to help make a diagnosis.
- Discussion of a patient’s medical history and menstrual periods
- Physical exam to look for excess hair growth or acne
- Pelvic exam to look for masses or growths
- Bloodwork to measure hormone levels
- Transvaginal ultrasound to look for ovarian cysts
Our team will typically make a diagnosis of PCOS if a woman has two of the following symptoms.
- Irregular periods, including very heavy periods or having less than nine periods a year
- Elevated levels of androgens (male-type hormones)
- Multiple tiny cysts on the ovaries
After making a diagnosis, our fertility doctors will work with the patient to develop a customized polycystic ovary syndrome treatment plan that’s tailored to her needs and goals.
Our doctors offer a wide variety of PCOS treatment options
Our Dallas-Fort Worth infertility doctors focus on treating each patient’s concerns, including infertility and weight. They will also consider whether a woman is trying to conceive now.
Birth control pills. If conceiving isn’t currently a goal for a patient, our team may prescribe hormonal birth control pills as a polycystic ovary syndrome treatment. These pills can regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle and improve acne and unwanted hair growth.
Weight loss. If a woman is overweight or obese, just a 10-15% weight loss may help her start ovulating and improve her PCOS symptoms. Our team typically recommends losing weight with a combination of moderate-intensity physical activity and a nutritious, balanced diet.
Metformin. This medication improves insulin resistance and lowers insulin levels. It can also help some women begin ovulating. When our doctors prescribe Metformin, they tend to start at a dose of 500 mg per day for one week working up to 2,000 mg per day.
Fertility medications. For women who are trying to conceive, our Dallas-Fort Worth infertility doctors typically start by prescribing oral medications like Femara (letrozole) or Clomid (clomiphene citrate). If these medications don’t help, then our doctors may move to injectable gonadotropins. To prevent a woman from developing too many eggs at once, our team will carefully monitor the patient. We will do this using bloodwork and ultrasounds while she takes the medication.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI). This treatment involves inserting sperm from the patient’s partner or a sperm donor directly into the uterus using a thin, flexible tube. Typically, a patient will be taking fertility medications in conjunction with this fertility treatment.
In vitro fertilization (IVF). If fertility medications and IUI aren’t effective, our doctors may prescribe IVF. This treatment involves multiple steps, including ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization and embryo transfer.
Find the polycystic ovary syndrome treatment options you need
Finding the right PCOS treatment plan can help you overcome the symptoms of this condition and have the baby you’ve always wanted. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors and learn more. We can help you take control of your PCOS symptoms.
