Educating and empowering patients by answering the question, “What is PCOS?”

Patients come to Texas Fertility Center with many questions. One of the most common ones is “What is PCOS?” Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) occurs in about 10% of patients with ovaries, while Hispanic and Indian patients have a higher risk. However, many people don’t know much about this syndrome, which is a common cause of infertility in women. Our Austin PCOS doctors are working hard to change that by helping patients with understanding PCOS.

So, what is PCOS? All about the syndrome’s origins

Polycystic ovary syndrome is very common and affects many different aspects of a patient’s health, including fertility. The name comes from the unique appearance of the ovaries. An ultrasound typically reveals what appear to be many cysts. Despite their appearance, our Austin PCOS doctors explain that these “cysts” are actually follicles. Follicles are the fluid-filled sacs that hold an egg.

Patients often want to know what causes the condition when exploring the question of “What is PCOS?” There are different theories about the origin of PCOS. However, researchers have found three major components. These include abnormal hormonal secretions from the brain, elevated testosterone levels from the ovaries and insulin resistance. These different issues affect and exacerbate each other. The result is a difficult-to-break cycle that leads to the symptoms of PCOS and can make it difficult to get pregnant.

Understanding PCOS symptoms and the importance of fertility treatment

Because PCOS can look very different from patient to patient, it can be difficult to diagnose. For this reason, the condition is generally underdiagnosed. Often, patients who are struggling to conceive will see multiple doctors before they receive the diagnosis of PCOS. The good news is that our Austin PCOS doctors have a wealth of experience diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome and providing the targeted fertility treatment that may be necessary to bring home a baby.

If you trying to conceive and are concerned you may have PCOS, contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our other experienced physicians. Not only can we answer, “What is PCOS?” but we can also provide effective treatments to put you on the path to pregnancy.