May 29, 20213 min read

Untreated PCOS: What You Need to Know About PCOS

About 1 in 10 women suffer from a disease called polycystic ovary syndrome.

While Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is pretty common, there are some important things that women need to know about it. The best thing to do is to be as informed as possible about untreated PCOS because it can become serious.

If you’re concerned about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS, keep reading for all the things you need to know.

6 Things You Need to Know About Untreated PCOS

Living with PCOS can be frustrating and even debilitating sometimes. If you’re experiencing some of these symptoms, don’t leave them untreated.

Here’s what you need to know about PCOS.

1. It Can Be Serious

If left untreated, PCOS can become a serious problem. All of the symptoms you experience can lead to other health risks like cancers, acne scars, and heart disease if you don’t see a doctor and receive treatment.

Other health problems may include sleep apnea and problems getting pregnant. The good news is that with a diagnosis, proper treatment, and lifestyle changes, the outlook for PCOS is positive.

2. Diagnosis Is Hard

Unlike other diseases that can be expected due to genetics, doctors don’t exactly know who is most likely to get PCOS and who will not.

The symptoms of PCOS can be markers, but just because you have them doesn’t necessarily mean you have PCOS. Because of this, doctors can often miss PCOS. For example, if you have excess acne, and you see a dermatologist, they’re unlikely to ask about other factors like missed periods.

The way to get a diagnosis is by seeing a doctor like an OBGYN who will understand all your symptoms and make the proper diagnosis. PCOS is usually diagnosed by blood tests and even an ultrasound to look at ovarian cysts.

3. There Are Treatments

There is no cure for PCOS. However, there are ways it can be managed.

Medications exist to control the hormones and acne that are the culprit of PCOS. Your doctor will work with you to decide the best medication to treat your symptoms.

However, medication like taking pills can have a serious impact on our health.

So proper nutrition and taking supplements may help manage your POCS symptoms.

4. Medications Are Not the End-All

While medications can help treat PCOS, medications combined with lifestyle changes are the best antidote to treating PCOS and many doctors recommend this approach.

Lifestyle changes such as dietary modifications, weight loss, and exercise all play a role in helping treat PCOS. For example, being overweight causes your body to produce more insulin, which can cause PCOS, so losing weight is a key factor in helping treat PCOS.

Start eating a diet rich in healthy fats and lean meats like avocados, seeds, nuts, chicken, and fish.

5. PCOS Has A Domino Effect

As mentioned before, if left untreated PCOS can cause other problems in your body. While cancer is a serious diagnosis, there are other ways PCOS can impact your body. For example, untreated PCOS can lead to type 1 diabetes because of its insulin connection.

6. Infertility

One of the most common problems associated with PCOS is infertility. PCOS hinders ovulation, which makes it difficult to become pregnant. Infertility can be devastating for many women who desire to get pregnant.

However, with the proper diagnosis and treatment, many women go on to have healthy full-term pregnancies. Other parts of the reproductive system are usually working well, and once treatment is working many women get pregnant.

PCOS: There is Hope

Symptoms of PCOS can be difficult to hone in on, but here are a few things you should do if you think you may have PCOS.

Write down your symptoms and how long you’ve had them. Keep track of them and their intensity. Untreated PCOS can be devastating and develop a chain reaction of more health problems.

If you think you have PCOS, message us today because we will help you find relief.