POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS)
Everything You Need to Know
What is Polycystic
Ovarian Syndrome?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormone imbalance affecting women of reproductive age. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The hormones involved in PCOS include:
- Androgens: While all women produce androgens (like testosterone), those with PCOS often have elevated androgen levels. This leads to symptoms such as acne, excessive facial hair, thinning hair on the top of the head, and irregular periods.
- Insulin: Insulin helps your body absorb sugar from food and use it for energy. In PCOS, the body doesn’t respond to insulin properly, so it has to make extra insulin to keep blood sugar normal. Having too much insulin can cause inflammation and put stress on the pancreas, which may lead to diabetes. Chronic inflammation also damages cells and blood vessels, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, joint pain, and obesity.
- Estrogen & Progesterone: These key female hormones are imbalanced in PCOS. Estrogen remains high while progesterone is low. This leads to irregular periods, fertility issues, and PMS-like symptoms.
Common Symptoms of PCOS
- Irregular Periods: Women with PCOS may go months without a period, and when it does come, it can be heavy or last over a week in length.
- Excessive Hair Growth: Increased hair on the face, chin, back, or chest.
- Acne & Oily Skin: Large, painful pimples and oily skin, especially on the face.
- Infertility: Conceiving can be challenging for women with PCOS because they have irregular periods and aren’t ovulating.
- Cysts on Ovaries: Many women with PCOS develop small cysts on their ovaries, which can be seen on an ultrasound.
- Weight Gain: Difficulty losing weight or gaining weight around the abdomen.
- Fatigue: Low progesterone levels and insulin resistance can both cause sleep disturbances and low energy.
- Thinning Hair: Hair loss on the temples and/or widening of the part in the hairline.
- Skin Darkening: Insulin resistance may cause dark patches of skin under the arms, breasts, or along the neck.
- Mood Changes: Low progesterone levels can lead to anxiety, irritability, and even panic attacks.
How Do I Get Tested For PCOS?
If you think that you might have PCOS, schedule a consultation with one of our specialists at Murrieta Health & Aesthetics. Our providers are experts in hormone imbalances and will help diagnose and treat your condition. During your consultation, we will conduct a thorough exam, which includes checking for excess hair and acne. We may also conduct a pelvic exam. We will order blood tests to assess hormone levels and check for insulin resistance. An ultrasound will also be ordered to evaluate your ovaries and uterus. Once all tests are complete, we’ll review the results and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Solutions
At MHA, we focus on treating the root causes of PCOS, not by just masking symptoms. While traditional treatments like birth control may provide temporary relief, they don’t address hormone imbalances or insulin resistance. Our approach includes a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan that supports your body and mind. This multi-faceted approach includes:
- Bioidentical Hormone Replacement (BHRT):
To restore balance to your progesterone and estrogen levels. - Diet & Lifestyle Changes:
To improve insulin sensitivity and overall health. - Medical-Grade Supplements:
To support hormone regulation and metabolic function.
Additionally, we offer painless hair restoration (TED) and plasma skin resurfacing (OPUS) to address aesthetic concerns and improve your confidence.
With our holistic approach, we aim to help you manage PCOS and reduce its long-term effects.
Lifestyle Tips for Managing PCOS
- Eat Balanced Meals: Focus on high-protein, high-fat meals and avoid refined carbs and sugars.
- Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, including strength training. Weight lifting 2–3 times per week helps increase muscle mass, reduce body fat, and improve insulin sensitivity.
- Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Stress Management: Use relaxation techniques like meditation, reading, or spending time outdoors. Additionally, our ExoMind treatments are designed to enhance mental wellness, improve sleep, and alleviate the anxiety often associated with PCOS hormone imbalances.
- Time Your Meals: Avoid eating within 2–3 hours of bedtime to allow full digestion before sleep.
- Intermittent Fasting: If you’re overweight or have insulin resistance, try fasting for 12–15 hours to promote insulin sensitivity.
By making these changes, you can help manage PCOS naturally and improve your overall well-being.
Struggling with Fertility?
The good news is that infertility caused by PCOS is treatable.
With the right medical support, women with PCOS are able to conceive and have healthy pregnancies. At MHA, our providers specialize in PCOS management and fertility treatments. If you think you have PCOS and you are struggling to conceive or want to discuss planning for pregnancy in the near future, contact us today at (951) 600-7066.
Why Choose Murrieta Health & Aesthetics?
At Murrieta Health & Aesthetics, we understand that PCOS is more than just irregular periods — it’s a condition that affects your overall health and well-being. Our expert providers specialize in hormone imbalances. We offer personalized, holistic treatment plans that address the root causes of PCOS to help you achieve long-term results. If you have questions about how to reverse your PCOS through functional medicine and lifestyle changes, contact our office at (951) 600-7066 and make an appointment today.
Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
Over time PCOS can be reversed, but this requires you to work with a provider who is an expert in PCOS management, like Dr. Shehata.
Focus on protein and healthy fats. Limit processed foods like bread, pasta, rice, desserts, and sodas since they can cause inflammation. Avoid high-sugar fruits such as grapes, bananas, oranges, and melons, as well as fruit juices, because they can make insulin resistance worse. Instead, choose complex, high-fiber carbs like flax seeds, chia seeds, carrots, sweet potatoes, and beans.
Yes. PCOS can cause irregular ovulation, but with the right treatment and fertility support, many women are able to conceive and have healthy pregnancies. At MHA, our providers specialize in PCOS management and fertility care.
Yes. If left untreated, PCOS can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, joint pain, obesity and diabetes. Early management and regular care can prevent many of these complications.
- Inositol: A 40:1 ratio of myo-inositol to D-inositol helps to decrease androgen and estrogen levels, reduce insulin resistance by promoting glucose uptake by your cells, promote ovulation and regular menstrual cycles, improve egg quality, improve mood, and decrease stress levels.
- N-Acetyl Cystine: An antioxidant that decreases inflammation, reduces insulin resistance, improves cholesterol levels, and aids in fat loss.
- Berberine: Some studies show a high dose of berberine is as effective as metformin at decreasing insulin resistance without as many side effects as metformin.
- DIM: Helps your body bind and metabolize excess estrogen.
To purchase supplements, click here.
Absolutely. PCOS can contribute to stress, anxiety, and changes in mood due to fluctuating hormone levels. At Murrieta Health & Aesthetics, we take a whole-person approach, addressing both emotional well-being and physical health to help you feel balanced and supported.
Not always. Many women with PCOS can restore ovulation through hormone therapy, metabolic optimization, and lifestyle changes. When those steps aren’t enough, options like ovulation induction, reproductive endocrinology consultations, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be considered.
If you are experiencing irregular periods, weight gain, or signs of hormonal imbalance, Murrieta Health and Aesthetics is here to help. Our providers offer comprehensive PCOS treatment focused on restoring balance, improving fertility, and protecting long-term health.
Call (951) 600-7066 or book online to schedule your consultation for PCOS treatment in Murrieta, CA.