PCOS Specialist

Pacifica Health

OBGYNs & Primary Care Practice located in East Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, Chinatown, Los Angeles, CA & Monterey Park, CA

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) results from an imbalance in reproductive organs. It’s a common cause of infertility and weight gain. If you’re among the 5-10% of premenopausal women with PCOS, the experienced team at Pacifica Health, with locations in the East Hollywood and Chinatown neighborhoods of Los Angeles and Monterey Park, California, can help. If you have symptoms that suggest PCOS, call one of the offices or request an appointment online.

PCOS Q & A

What is PCOS?

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have higher-than-normal levels of androgens, which are male sex hormones. This hormonal imbalance causes problems in the ovaries and with ovulation, the monthly release of an egg.

Women with PCOS may also have high levels of insulin, the hormone that shuttles sugar from the bloodstream into cells to be used for energy. This puts women with PCOS at greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

What symptoms suggest that I have PCOS?

Women with PCOS often have an irregular menstrual cycle. Instead of monthly, you may have a period less frequently, like only eight times per year.

Other symptoms that may occur with PCOS include:

Infertility
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

Facial hair
Male-pattern balding or hair thinning
Acne and skin tags

If you have these symptoms, contact Pacifica Health for an evaluation. The doctors can determine if you have PCOS or another gynecological condition that would benefit from their experienced medical care.

How is PCOS diagnosed?

If you’re showing signs of PCOS, your OB/GYN does a thorough review of your health history, current symptoms, and physical health, and performs a pelvic exam. You also undergo blood tests to evaluate your hormone levels. They review your family medical history too, as PCOS has a genetic component.

Your OB/GYN may order a pelvic ultrasound to get a thorough look at your ovaries. This noninvasive test is pain-free and requires no preparation but gives the doctor a detailed look at your reproductive organs. They may observe small cysts that often form on the ovaries in women with PCOS, confirming your diagnosis.

How is PCOS treated?

PCOS cannot be cured, but symptoms can be managed. Your doctor may recommend hormonal contraception to regulate irregular periods and anti-androgen medication to balance your hormones. If you have high blood sugar levels, you may benefit from the oral diabetes drug called metformin.

The infertility services offered at Pacifica Health help improve your chances of conceiving if you’re having trouble getting pregnant due to PCOS.

Schedule your PCOS evaluation at Pacifica Health today. Call one of the offices to set up your appointment or use the online tool.

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