Ovarian Drilling For PCOS

Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome have irregular or absent menstrual periods along with elevated serum testosterone and androstenedione, (out-of-whack hormone levels, in short) leading to abnormal bleeding, infertility, obesity, excess hair grown, hair loss and acne. PCOS can affect approximately 6-10% of women, and may have a genetic component. PCOS can also be responsible for infertility, as well as irregular periods, beginning as early as puberty. While there is no specific “cure” for PCOS, it can be controlled in several different ways--controlling your PCOS is important whether or not you are planning on having children as the measures used to control PCOS also lower your risks of infertility, miscarriage, diabetes, heart disease and uterine cancer.

Initial Treatment for PCOS

While it may sound like a lifestyle choice, the first line of medical treatment for PCOS includes eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and getting regular exercise. So, if you are overweight, losing even a small amount may help balance your hormones and start your menstrual cycles and ovulation going again. Because women who smoke have higher levels of androgens, consider quitting, and make every effort to do so. If you are hoping to get pregnant, and the weight loss did not improve your fertility, your doctor may suggest an insulin-lowering medicine in conjunction with further weight loss. If you are not planning a pregnancy at the time, you may be a good candidate for hormone therapy which can correct menstrual cycle problems, and keep your endometrial lining from building up for too long a time.

Ovarian Drilling for PCOS

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling can trigger ovulation in those with PCOS, however it is a surgical treatment, and is presently considered more of a “last try” to be used in women who are still not ovulating after losing weight and taking fertility medications. A small incision is made at the belly button by the surgeon while you are out, under general anesthesia. A tube will then be placed in the incision to inflate the abdomen with a small amount of carbon dioxide gas to enable the surge to insert the laparoscope with no damage to your internal organs. Once the laparoscope is in place, the surgeon can look around your insides at your internal organs.

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