Patient's question:
In September 2011, after an abortion, my menstrual cycle has been irregular. I have seen many traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, but it didn't help. Since July 2013, when I had my last period, I haven't had one since. At that time, the doctor said my endometrium was thin and prescribed traditional Chinese medicine pills, but it still didn't work.Doctor's answer:
The diagnostic consensus for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is as follows:1. Menstrual irregularity or oligoovulation (clinical symptoms).
2. Polycystic ovarian morphology (confirmed by ultrasound imaging).
3. Clinical (infertility, hirsutism, obesity, acne) or laboratory signs of hyperandrogenism (elevated androgens).
Two of the three criteria must be met, and other endocrine disorders such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen tumors, or hyperprolactinemia must be excluded, to diagnose PCOS.
The most important thing is not whether you wear the "PCOS" label; the key is to determine your ovulation status. If you do not ovulate or have oligoovulation, your menstrual cycles will not be regular. Conversely, irregular menstruation may also indicate anovulation.
The primary goal of PCOS treatment is to establish normal ovulatory menstrual cycles, restore fertility, and eliminate hirsutism. Once normal cycles are established, conception becomes possible, the ovaries no longer produce excessive androgens, and hirsutism also disappears.
Currently, there is no cure for PCOS, and treatment is mainly symptomatic. It is not advisable to have irregular menstrual cycles for an extended period, as the risk of endometrial cancer significantly increases. If you have fertility goals, ovulation induction therapy can be considered.