Information about reproductive health and common female concerns is more readily available than ever before. And while we love this convenience, this overabundance of information and opinion can be difficult to parse in some cases. Certain reproductive health conditions can be difficult to understand, leading to misinformation that can negatively impact the diagnosis and treatment of the issue. This is true of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects roughly 10% of reproductive-aged women. So in the spirit of knowledge, our reproductive healthcare experts wanted to debunk a few common myths about PCOS.
Myth #1: Having PCOS Means a Woman Cannot Ever Become Pregnant
While it’s true that PCOS is among the most common causes of female infertility, it’s a myth that having PCOS means a woman will definitely never be able to become pregnant and carry a pregnancy to term. Many women with PCOS are able to increase their chances of becoming pregnant with the help of fertility treatments and certain lifestyle changes including maintaining a healthier diet and a stable body weight.
Myth #2: PCOS Always Causes The Development of Ovarian Cysts
This is not always the case, though we understand why this misconception exists. In many cases, an ultrasound for women with PCOS may depict tiny follicles in the ovary that can resemble small cysts, but they are very different. Unlike ovarian cysts, these follicles do not cause pain and have no potential to be cancerous. Additionally, not all women diagnosed with PCOS will develop these follicles on their ovaries.
Myth #3: Irregular Bleeding is Definitely a Sign of PCOS
Irregular menstrual bleeding can be a warning sign of PCOS, however, it can also be a warning sign for several other reproductive conditions and abnormalities. Irregular bleeding is very common and can be an indication of many things ranging from too much stress and poor nutrition to reproductive concerns including endometriosis and uterine fibroids. We recommend speaking with a board-certified gynecologist if this irregular bleeding persists in order to receive an accurate diagnosis.
At Gynecology Associates of Gwinnett, our experts have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. We work hard with our patients to cultivate the most appropriate and beneficial PCOS treatment plan based on each woman’s specific needs and the severity of her symptoms. If you would like more information on PCOS or to request an appointment today with board-certified gynecologist Dr. Kristine Gould, please contact Gynecology Associates of Gwinnett today. You can also follow along with us on Facebook and our medical spa, MadEmEl Medical Aesthetics, on Instagram.
