Thyroid problems are more common than most people realize but often go undiagnosed for years. If you have unexplained issues such as fatigue, muscle weakness or pain, or temperature intolerance, your thyroid could be to blame.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is thought to affect 5%-10% of the reproductive-aged female population. PCOS is a hormonal condition that causes your ovaries to become enlarged and filled with pockets of fluid, contributing to an irregular release of eggs.
The imbalance in your reproductive hormones can cause debilitating physical symptoms like severe cramping and bleeding during periods, infertility, and weight gain. It can also cause you to grow facial and body hair, get acne, and lose your scalp hair.
At her endocrinology practice in Chelsea, New York, Dr. Ana Maria Kausel provides compassionate care and works with you to create a treatment plan to bring your hormones into line and manage your PCOS symptoms.
Correct treatment can reduce the risk of related conditions like obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, liver inflammation, infertility, and cancer of the reproductive organs. Your PCOS plan may include medications, hormone treatments, and lifestyle changes.
Every patient is unique, which is why it’s important to seek the help of a medical professional like an endocrinologist to manage PCOS. Dr. Kausel can help pinpoint exactly the right approach to take for your PCOS, but these four lifestyle changes can help almost anyone with the condition feel better.
The stress hormone cortisol is high in women with PCOS. Finding ways to reduce your stress helps with hormone imbalance. Journal daily to discover the main points of stress in your life, and then try to find ways to mitigate that stress.
Lowered amounts of sleep or poor sleep patterns can also affect your hormones. Getting longer stretches of deep sleep may help with hormone regulation. The sleep hormone melatonin can affect other hormones by its absence.
Exercise can affect testosterone, a contributing factor in PCOS. Exercising just three times a week for 20 minutes at a moderate level can help you regulate hormones and drop excess weight.
Cutting down on carbohydrates and sugary foods can minimize insulin resistance and reduce androgen excess. Around 50% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese, specifically carrying excess weight in the abdomen. If you’re in this group, losing just 5% of the excess weight can improve symptoms.
Dr Kausel completes a thorough exam to check for signs of PCOS and related conditions like diabetes. She can then create a customized plan to treat your PCOS, alleviate your symptoms, and help with infertility issues if needed.
If you suspect you have PCOS, call our office at 646-205-0618 or schedule an appointment online using our convenient scheduling tool.
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