citizensmemorial.com 7 POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME Get the help you need Heather Corn, M.D., with CMH Endocrinology Center in Bolivar, is an expert in diagnosing and treating patients with endocrine system issues. She offers care and treatment for reproductive hormone imbalance, pituitary and adrenal disorders, thyroid and parathyroid disorders, advanced diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and other disorders of the endocrine system. WOMEN’S HEALTH If you deal with unstable menstrual periods, facial hair and acne, you may be one of the 9% to 18% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is common among women between the ages of 15 and 44, or during their childbearing years. Most patients are diagnosed when they struggle to get pregnant in their 20s and 30s. In fact, PCOS is the most common reason for infertility. The disorder is caused by an imbalance in reproductive hormones, which hinders a woman’s egg release and ovulation cycle. Since PCOS is a health problem that affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age, it’s important for you to know the facts. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS PCOS can trigger a variety of signs and symptoms in women, such as: » Irregular periods. Some women have no periods and some have more than one period per month. » Cysts on the ovaries. » Weight gain or trouble losing weight. » Bad acne. » Oily skin. » Acanthosis nigricans (thick, patchy skin). » Hair growth on the face, chest and back. » Loss of hair on the scalp. MANY COMPLICATIONS Although infertility is one of the biggest complications of PCOS, the condition also can cause problems once a woman does get pregnant: Her chances for miscarriages, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure) go up. The complications go beyond the reproductive system alone. Women with PCOS are at risk of developing anxiety, depression, sleep problems, obesity, uterine cancer, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, diabetes and insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. TREATMENT CAN HELP If you think you have PCOS, the first step is to talk to your primary care provider. Ask for a referral to HAVE QUESTIONS? Call the CMH Endocrinology Center at 417-328-7000. board certified endocrinologist Heather Corn, M.D., with CMH Endocrinology Center in Bolivar. Dr. Corn will confirm a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan based on your particular symptoms and needs. “Medicines can be used to treat insulin resistance, to lower the level of androgens (male reproductive hormones) that cause skin and hair problems, or to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce acne,” she says. Patients who want to get pregnant may be prescribed medications to help with ovulation. “If you are overweight, losing even a small amount of weight may help regulate your periods and improve fertility. And if medicine doesn’t work, there may be other options,” says Dr. Corn. Although PCOS has no cure, treatment can help manage the condition and its complications. “For some, adopting a healthy eating plan, exercising, getting enough sleep and managing stress will go a long way to improving symptoms and decreasing your risk for developing type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Corn. “Don’t delay getting care,” she adds. “We can help patients who have symptoms of PCOS get the help they need.” Sources: Endocrine Society; National Institutes of Health; Office on Women’s Health
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