PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age.

Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to release eggs regularly.

Complications of PCOS can include:

Infertility Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
Miscarriage or premature birth Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis — a severe liver inflammation caused by fat accumulation in the liver
Metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels that significantly increase your risk of cardiovascular disease Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
Sleep apnea Depression, anxiety and eating disorders
Abnormal uterine bleeding Cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer)

PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed.

Treatment options can vary because someone with PCOS may experience a range of symptoms, or just 1, such as:

  • Lifestyle changes
  • Medicines
  • Surgery

A minor surgical procedure called laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) may be a treatment option for fertility problems associated with PCOS that do not respond to medicine.

Under general anaesthetic, we will make a small cut in your lower tummy and pass through a long, thin microscope called a laparoscope into your abdomen.

The ovaries will then be surgically treated using heat or a laser to destroy the tissue that’s producing androgens (male hormones).

This corrects your hormone imbalance and can restore the normal function of your ovaries.