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What you need to know about the long-term health consequences of PCOS
Many women who come to us seeking help for infertility are surprised to learn that they have PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition to being a common cause of infertility, PCOS places women at higher risk for some serious medical conditions. Preventing potential health consequences of PCOS is one reason why it is important to see a fertility specialist if you have been struggling to conceive. Reaching out for help from our Texas PCOS specialists may reduce your risk of developing additional medical issues if we do discover that you have this condition.
Many women only discover they have PCOS when they are ready to have a baby, but have trouble getting pregnant. By then, the syndrome may already be causing medical complications that can threaten your overall health. It’s wise to see a fertility specialist if you have been trying to conceive for a year if you’re under the age of 35, or six months if you are 35 or older.
PCOS
What happens if you leave PCOS untreated?
PCOS can lead to serious medical conditions if left untreated. While not all women will experience long-term health consequences of PCOS, women with PCOS do have a higher risk for certain health problems.
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart and vascular disease, heart attack, and stroke
- High blood pressure, or hypertension
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- High cholesterol and lipid abnormalities
- Endometrial, breast and ovarian cancer
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Infertility
Symptoms that can lead to a polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis
Symptoms of PCOS can range from mild to unpleasant, and often affect women’s quality of life.
- Missed, irregular or very light periods
- Ovarian cysts, which can be painful
- Acne and unusual body hair growth, such as on the chest, back or belly
- Thinning hair
- Thick, dark patches of skin and/or skin tags
- Overweight or obesity
- Inability to conceive
One key to preventing long-term health consequences of PCOS is catching the problem early. This is why it’s so important to know the symptoms of PCOS and to seek out a reproductive endocrinologist for polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis if you are trying to conceive.
We help women conceive with PCOS
Our Texas PCOS specialists are board certified reproductive endocrinologists who have helped countless women achieve pregnancy with PCOS. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to learn more about diagnosing PCOS and getting the fertility treatment you may need to grow your family.