Finding a Great Chicago PCOS Specialist Doctor for Treatment

Understanding PCOS and Finding the Right Chicago Doctor

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS causes a variety of symptoms and long-term health risks that make finding an experienced Chicago PCOS doctor essential.

PCOS Symptoms and Root Causes

Common PCOS symptoms include:

Irregular, absent, or heavy menstrual periods
Excess facial and body hair growth in a male pattern
Thinning hair or hair loss on the scalp
Acne outbreaks
Darkening skin on the neck, groin, or under the breasts
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Ovarian cysts

While the exact causes are still unclear, research suggests PCOS arises from a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors including:

Elevated androgens like testosterone
Insulin resistance leading to excess insulin
Low grade inflammation
Hereditary predisposition

Why a PCOS Specialist Matters

Since PCOS manifests differently in each woman and involves complex reproductive hormone imbalances, having an ob/gyn or endocrinologist specifically trained and experienced in PCOS diagnoses and care is crucial.

A dedicated PCOS doctor can:

Order tests to accurately diagnose it vs. other conditions
Provide individualized lifestyle change guidance including diet, exercise, and stress reduction support
Prescribe medications as needed to regulate cycles and manage symptoms
Monitor your progress closely over months and years

Finding a Great Chicago PCOS Doctor

Searching for a thoughtful, empathetic PCOS specialist knowledgeable about current medical advances in treatment can make a world of difference. Here’s how to find the best fit:

Get Referrals from Local Support Groups

Connecting with other Chicago women already navigating PCOS can provide recommendations on doctors they’ve worked with successfully. Local in-person or online groups also give a space to share struggles and victories on your PCOS health journey.

Use Online Doctor Search Platforms

Websites like Healthgrades and Vitals allow you to search Chicago doctors by specialty, compare ratings, and read real patient reviews. This offers helpful insight into office environment, bedside manner, and how well doctors communicate regarding PCOS.

Schedule Consultations

Once you have a list of a few potential PCOS doctors, set up initial phone or in-office consultations. These visits allow you to get a feel for whether your philosophies, communication styles, and priorities align to enable developing a strong collaborative relationship.

Issues to discuss during an initial consultation include:

The doctor’s precise subspecialties and additional PCOS credentials
Number of PCOS patients and typical success rates
Treatment approaches - preferences for lifestyle changes, metformin, birth control pills, etc
Costs and insurance coverage specifics at the clinic

PCOS Diagnosis and Testing from a Chicago Doctor

Since PCOS produces an array of possible symptoms, obtaining an accurate diagnosis involves medical, reproductive, and family histories along with a few key screening tests:

Medical History Information

Expect to provide information to your Chicago PCOS doctor detailing:

First occurrence age of symptoms like irregular periods, excess hair growth, and acne issues
Frequency and severity of symptoms
Other existing health conditions
Medications and supplements you currently take
Family members diagnosed with PCOS or type 2 diabetes

Physical Exam

A physical exam screens for classic PCOS signs like:

Dark, thick skin on the neck, armpits, or groin (acanthosis nigricans) suggesting insulin resistance
Excess hair growth on the face, chest, or back
Ovarian cysts felt during a pelvic exam
Abnormal uterine or vaginal bleeding

Blood Tests

Bloodwork screens hormone levels checking for elevated male hormones (androgens) and other biomarkers that frequently accompany PCOS:

Total or free testosterone
Androstenedione
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)
Glucose levels and potential insulin resistance
Inflammation markers like CRP and interleukin-6

Ultrasound Imaging

Pelvic ultrasounds can visualize ovarian cysts and examine the uterus and endometrium thickness changes across cycles to track irregularities.

PCOS Treatment Options

After a confirmed PCOS diagnosis, an experienced Chicago doctor can walk you through lifestyle remedies and medical interventions to manage symptoms and long term risks including:

Improved Diet and Exercise Habits

Modest 5-10% weight loss combined with 150 minutes per week of brisk walking or light jogging can regulate periods, improve insulin sensitivity, lower testosterone, reduce inflammation, and give significant symptom relief for some PCOS patients research demonstrates.

Targeted Nutrient Supplements

Supplements including inositol, omega-3s, vitamin D, chromium, and magnesium citrate help improve hormonal balance, insulin signaling, ovulation, and metabolic factors according to some studies.

Stress Relief Therapies

Managing psychological stress through sufficient sleep, relaxation practices, talk therapy, and social connection supports hormone regulation that positively impacts PCOS symptoms.

Prescription Medications

Birth control pills, metformin, antiandrogens, and ovulation induction meds can cycle regulate, lower testosterone, protect against endometrial hyperplasia, and improve fertility depending on one’s circumstances and wishes.

Having a thoughtful PCOS specialist guide you through tailoring and monitoring these therapy options provides the best probability of significant symptom relief while preventing diabetes and heart disease long term.

Special Considerations for PCOS and Fertility

Up to 80% of women with PCOS have trouble getting pregnancy due to absent ovulation and irregular periods. Working with a reproductive endocrinologist familiar with PCOS can assist couples successfully achieving their family goals.

Available fertility treatments include:

Ovulation inducing medications like clomid, letrozole, injectables
Artificial insemination procedures
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
Metformin and lifestyle optimization before further interventions

Exploring all family building paths in depth with your PCOS doctor helps determine the safest, most effective road to conception and healthy pregnancy.

Managing PCOS Requires an Experienced Physician

Getting officially diagnosed, understanding root causes, keeping up with new research, evaluating complex treatment options, and having progress carefully monitored long term makes having a talented PCOS specialist essential.

By taking time finding an empathetic Chicago doctor invested in designing a personalized program around your goals and circumstances, you give yourself the greatest odds for effectively managing troubling symptoms and avoiding future diabetes or heart complications using the latest medical therapies.

FAQs

What are the most common PCOS symptoms?

Common symptoms include irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, weight gain, hair loss, and fertility difficulties. Ovarian cysts may also occur.

Why choose a PCOS specialist over a regular gynecologist?

A dedicated PCOS specialist has extensive training in the nuances of diagnosis and complex hormone imbalances driving PCOS. This enables developing customized treatment plans for each woman’s specifics.

What initial tests help diagnose PCOS?

Key PCOS diagnostic tests check for elevated male hormones in bloodwork, ovarian cysts or menstrual irregularities on ultrasound, and signs like skin tags during physical exams that indicate insulin resistance.

How can a good PCOS doctor support fertility?

A reproductive endocrinologist can provide ovulation induction medications, timed intercourse guidance, intrauterine insemination, or in vitro fertilization to help achieve pregnancy in women with PCOS having fertility difficulties.

Why follow with a PCOS specialist long-term?

Careful long term monitoring by an experienced PCOS doctor allows adjusting treatment plans over time for symptom relief while preventing high blood sugar and other metabolic complications.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.