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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Specialist
pcos specialist
Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common gynecological problems. It’s also a top cause of infertility, and it affects your whole body, leading to weight gain and Type 2 diabetes. In addition to specializing in women’s health and infertility, Matthew Macer, MD, at Macer Fertility Center takes a holistic approach to your health care, which is exactly what you need for a complex condition like polycystic ovary syndrome.
To get comprehensive care that helps to restore your health and your fertility, schedule an appointment online or call the office in Beverly Hills/West LA, Rolling Hills Estates, or Pasadena, California. Dr. Macer is proud to serve the greater Los Angeles area, including Manhattan Beach and Long Beach.
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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
frequently asked questions
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) refers to a group of symptoms that are caused by an imbalance in two key hormones: androgens and insulin. Insulin is the hormone your body needs to metabolize sugar.
Androgens are known as male hormones because they include testosterone and they’re responsible for male characteristics. However women also need androgens, but they just produce a smaller amount.
PCOS develops when high levels of insulin trigger the production of androgens. As a result, women end up with abnormally high levels of androgens, which disrupts their ovaries. Androgens make the ovaries stop releasing eggs and lead to the development of cysts.
Women who have PCOS have at least two of the three primary symptoms:
- Abnormal menstrual bleeding, such as irregular periods, no periods, or heavy bleeding
- Ovarian cysts, which may cause pelvic pain
- Signs of excessive androgens, including acne, hair loss, and hirsutism (excessive hair growth on your face, chest, or thighs)
The hormonal imbalances that cause PCOS affect many systems in your body. The longer PCOS goes untreated, the higher your chances are of problems such as:
Infertility
PCOS is one of the top causes of infertility. As your ovaries stop releasing eggs or you randomly ovulate, it’s hard or impossible to become pregnant.
Being overweight
More than half of all women who have PCOS gain weight.
Type 2 diabetes
Women with PCOS often become insulin resistant, which progresses to become Type 2 diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome
When you’re a woman with PCOS, you have a higher risk for metabolic syndrome, a condition that occurs when you have any three of the following conditions:
- High blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides
- Waist circumference greater than 35 inches
Metabolic syndrome significantly raises your chances of developing cardiovascular disease and kidney disease.
Dr. Macer takes a holistic approach to treating PCOS, creating individualized treatment plans that include lifestyle changes together with medical care to restore hormonal balance. He may prescribe medications to regulate your menstrual cycle, reduce hirsutism, and treat other problems like acne and unwanted hair growth.
For women who want to become pregnant, the first step is to normalize ovulation using one of several medications to stimulate egg maturation and ovulation. If medical therapy doesn’t help, Dr. Macer may perform minimally invasive surgery to remove ovarian cysts or explore other treatments for infertility, such as in vitro fertilization.
To schedule an appointment for PCOS treatment, call Macer Fertility Center or use the online booking feature.