What Is PCOS?

• Because of the high level of androgens, women with PCOS often suffer a variety of symptoms--from acne to abnormal hair growth on the face, chest, back and neck, to infertility and even hair loss. It's also very common for women to have irregular or infrequent periods. While it may seem that this is a disease simply affecting a woman's fertility, there are many other body systems that are affected by PCOS.
  
  Having PCOS can put you at a greater risk for a host of other complications, namely heart disease, endometrial cancer and insulin resistance (which can eventually lead to diabetes). While there is no cure for PCOS, making a few lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk for complications, particularly heart disease and diabetes. Eating a diet rich in lean protein, whole grains, fruit and vegetables, while minimizing the amount of processed and overly fatty and sugary foods that you eat, is an excellent start. Fitting in 30 to 60 minutes of exercise three to four days a week is crucial, as well. Taking these steps are considered necessary for managing your PCOS.
  
  

Birth Control Pills and PCOS

• It is equally important to track and be aware of your menstrual cycle; speak with your doctor if you are getting less than eight periods a year. While not having a regular period may, at times, seem convenient, it can also increase your risk for developing endometrial cancer. When menstruation does not happen, the uterine lining is exposed to higher than normal levels of estrogen. This causes it to thicken, making it easier for cancer cells to grow. Taking the pill causes the lining to be thinner, and shed each month, reducing risk for cancer.
  
  The birth control pill is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for a woman with PCOS. In addition to regulating her cycles, it can also reduce the severity of her symptoms. It is also important to know that taking the pill can help lower your androgen level. Lower levels of androgens can reduce acne, the thickness of facial hair, and even help prevent hair loss.
  
  

What You Need to Know About Taking the Pill

• While taking the pill is generally considered safe, there are a few women who should not be taking it. If you are over the age of 35, a smoker, or have had a blood clot, you should not be taking the pill, so please mention that to your doctor.
  
  Taking the pill can also raise your blood pressure, or even the level of some electrolytes in the blood. Your doctor will let you know if monitoring of these levels is required, but make sure to keep your appointments.
  
  The pill will not protect you from sexually transmitted infections, so it is extremely important to use an additional form of birth control, like a condom, if you are not in a monogamous relationship.
  
  Take the pill exactly as directed, and at the same time each day. Missing doses can make the pill less effective. If you miss a dose, consult the packaging that comes with the pack, or speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further instructions.
  
  Finally, certain medications, like antibiotics, can interfere with the effectiveness of the pill. Ask your doctor of pharmacist before taking another medication whether it will affect your birth control pill.