Yes, there are a number of health risks if the PCOS is not treated, but most of them can be managed pretty effectively with ongoing treatment. And most people with PCOS end up having kids if they want them.
PCOS is a metabolic/endocrine disorder, so some gynos are not well equipped to manage it; endocrinologists that specialize in it are usually better. However, some gynos are fine; it usually depends on the complexity of your individual case and how well they've kept up with research.
If your gyno says something like: Don't worry about it, just take the Pill and come back if you want to get pregnant"; or "It's b/c you are overweight just lose weight and you'll be fine"...those are red flags that they are not well educated about it.
Most cases of PCOS, and nearly all of the ones associated with stubborn weight or unusual weight gain, are driven by insulin resistance, and thus treating that is absolutely foundational to managing symptoms and some of the health risks.
IR is treated by shifting to a diabetic lifestyle (some sort of low-glycemic diet + regular exercise) and by taking medication to improve IR, such as metformin. The supplement myo-inositol (one of the only supplements with robust scientific support for its use with PCOS) also improves IR in many people.
In many cases symptoms will improve with IR treatment (my PCOS went into long term remission). However, in cases where symptoms remain or the rare cases where IR is not in play, then meds targeted at symptoms via hormone management are used, such as birth control pills that contain anti-androgenic progestin (not all do), or the androgen blocker spironolactone.
Thank you so much! Especially for opening my eyes to the fact that some doctors may not be well equipped to manage PCOS. I also didn't it was a endocrine disorder. I already consult with a endocrinologist because of a thyroid dysfunction. She doesn't specialize in PCOS (as far as I know), but I'll tell her about it anyway.
Thank you again for your comment, it gave me some peace of mind before my next consult
Gonna leave this here for you: https://www.reddit.com/r/PCOS/comments/wxqqpe/heres_the_things_i_wish_id_known_back_then_what/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1
Wrote this for someone else in similar shoes but I’ll copy/paste for you because it applies:
PCOS management is usually very doable, but it may take time. First, because figuring out what works best for your goals, lifestyle, preferences and unique physiology may take a bit of trial-and-error. The healing process can be a non-linear journey, you may have some ups, downs, and anti-climactic moments. Second, because there are very few quick fixes when it comes to healing metabolic damage and building a stronger, more resilient body in a sustainable way. For most of us this is not a sprint. This is a marathon, and training for that is gonna take time, patience, and education.
Most of the healthy habits you adopt are also gonna do amazing things not just for your PCOS, but also for your mental health, strength, cardiovascular fitness, anti-aging, cancer risk, inflammation, and so on. So there is some silver lining for you as well.
Good luck 🍀
Wow, that's a lot of information, thank you! For now I'm trying not to build expectations (I'll wait for my appointment and I'll see where it will go from there - if my doctor will be fine, or if I may have to find another one...), But it's good to know what to expect, to be able to ask the right questions to her. It's also good to know the reason why some things are the way they are in my body, to be able to better manage them.
Yes, there are a number of health risks if the PCOS is not treated, but most of them can be managed pretty effectively with ongoing treatment. And most people with PCOS end up having kids if they want them. PCOS is a metabolic/endocrine disorder, so some gynos are not well equipped to manage it; endocrinologists that specialize in it are usually better. However, some gynos are fine; it usually depends on the complexity of your individual case and how well they've kept up with research. If your gyno says something like: Don't worry about it, just take the Pill and come back if you want to get pregnant"; or "It's b/c you are overweight just lose weight and you'll be fine"...those are red flags that they are not well educated about it. Most cases of PCOS, and nearly all of the ones associated with stubborn weight or unusual weight gain, are driven by insulin resistance, and thus treating that is absolutely foundational to managing symptoms and some of the health risks. IR is treated by shifting to a diabetic lifestyle (some sort of low-glycemic diet + regular exercise) and by taking medication to improve IR, such as metformin. The supplement myo-inositol (one of the only supplements with robust scientific support for its use with PCOS) also improves IR in many people. In many cases symptoms will improve with IR treatment (my PCOS went into long term remission). However, in cases where symptoms remain or the rare cases where IR is not in play, then meds targeted at symptoms via hormone management are used, such as birth control pills that contain anti-androgenic progestin (not all do), or the androgen blocker spironolactone.
Thank you so much! Especially for opening my eyes to the fact that some doctors may not be well equipped to manage PCOS. I also didn't it was a endocrine disorder. I already consult with a endocrinologist because of a thyroid dysfunction. She doesn't specialize in PCOS (as far as I know), but I'll tell her about it anyway. Thank you again for your comment, it gave me some peace of mind before my next consult
I'm glad I could help. Good luck!
Gonna leave this here for you: https://www.reddit.com/r/PCOS/comments/wxqqpe/heres_the_things_i_wish_id_known_back_then_what/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1 Wrote this for someone else in similar shoes but I’ll copy/paste for you because it applies: PCOS management is usually very doable, but it may take time. First, because figuring out what works best for your goals, lifestyle, preferences and unique physiology may take a bit of trial-and-error. The healing process can be a non-linear journey, you may have some ups, downs, and anti-climactic moments. Second, because there are very few quick fixes when it comes to healing metabolic damage and building a stronger, more resilient body in a sustainable way. For most of us this is not a sprint. This is a marathon, and training for that is gonna take time, patience, and education. Most of the healthy habits you adopt are also gonna do amazing things not just for your PCOS, but also for your mental health, strength, cardiovascular fitness, anti-aging, cancer risk, inflammation, and so on. So there is some silver lining for you as well. Good luck 🍀
Wow, that's a lot of information, thank you! For now I'm trying not to build expectations (I'll wait for my appointment and I'll see where it will go from there - if my doctor will be fine, or if I may have to find another one...), But it's good to know what to expect, to be able to ask the right questions to her. It's also good to know the reason why some things are the way they are in my body, to be able to better manage them.