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

Patients come to Texas Fertility Center with many questions. One of the most common ones is “What is PMOS?” Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) 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 PMOS doctors are working hard to change that by helping patients with understanding PMOS.

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

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian 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 PMOS 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 PMOS?” There are different theories about the origin of PMOS. 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 PMOS and can make it difficult to get pregnant.

Understanding PMOS symptoms and the importance of fertility treatment

Because PMOS 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 PMOS. The good news is that our Austin PMOS doctors have a wealth of experience diagnosing polyendocrine metabolic ovarian 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 PMOS, contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our other experienced physicians. Not only can we answer, “What is PMOS?” but we can also provide effective treatments to put you on the path to pregnancy.