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PCOS Awareness Month

USC Fertility offers support during PCOS Awareness Month

An estimated 10% of women live with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This hormonal condition affects female fertility and can contribute to other health issues like obesity, anxiety, depression, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. September is PCOS Awareness Month. However, the team at our Los Angeles fertility center is dedicated to offering treatments and hope for PCOS patients every month of the year.

Our Los Angeles fertility center experts explain PCOS

Common in women of reproductive age, PCOS results in higher levels of hormones called androgens. These hormones create problems with the ovaries, which should release an egg each month during menstruation. With PCOS, an egg may not develop, or it may not be released. Because of the hormone imbalance, women with PCOS often skip menstrual periods and can have a harder time getting pregnant.

Symptoms of PCOS may include irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain, acne and male pattern hair growth on the face or body.

Exploring PCOS awareness facts

Although PCOS affects about 10% of women, this condition often goes undiagnosed. As part of PCOS Awareness Month, our physicians want to share some important details about polycystic ovary syndrome.

  • PCOS represents the most common cause of infertility in women of childbearing age.
  • According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates, over 50% of women with PCOS will become diabetic or pre-diabetic before age 40.
  • Women with PCOS make up the largest group of women at risk for developing cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
  • PCOS can develop in pre-teen and teenage girls. Early diagnosis can assist with managing the emotional and physical symptoms of PCOS.
  • Conservative estimates suggest that 50% of the women dealing with PCOS are still undiagnosed.

These facts might seem startling, but you can take control of your health and fertility if you have PCOS. If you want to conceive, our Los Angeles fertility center offers highly effective treatments to help you ovulate and become pregnant. If you’re looking to reduce your risk of developing other health conditions, maintaining a healthy body weight through diet and exercise can work wonders.

If PCOS has made it difficult for you to conceive, our physicians can help. We have advanced diagnostics and infertility treatments to assist our PCOS patients in getting pregnant. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment at our Los Angeles fertility center.