Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is caused by a hormonal imbalance, which can affect your menstrual cycle and make it difficult to conceive.

Though it can't be cured, Dr. Sonja Kristiansen can evaluate your condition and develop a plan to improve your reproductive health.

Learn more about what polycystic ovary syndrome might mean ​for you and how we can help at our Houston, TX, clinic.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is caused by a hormonal imbalance, which can affect your menstrual cycle and make it difficult to conceive.

Though it can't be cured, Dr. Sonja Kristiansen can evaluate your condition and develop a plan to improve your reproductive health.

Learn more about what polycystic ovary syndrome might mean ​for you and how we can help at our Houston, TX, clinic.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Explained

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is caused by a hormonal imbalance that results in cyst growth in and on the ovaries. This condition can result in irregular menstrual cycles, such as missed periods or more frequent periods, and lead to female factor infertility.

During a healthy menstrual cycle, the egg is released from the ovary and travels down the fallopian tubes to the uterus. For many women trying to conceive, polycystic ovaries can cause egg damage or inconsistent ovulation. When the egg is damaged or not released properly, sperm are unable to fertilize it, preventing women from naturally conceiving.

Diagram of uterus affected by PCOS
Women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome often have cysts on their ovaries, which can contribute to hormone imbalance.

Am I at Risk?

PCOS affects roughly one in 10 women in their childbearing years. It can develop at any age once you go through puberty, but has a strong impact on women in their 20s and 30s who are trying to conceive. Women who are obese or have a family member with PCOS have a greater chance of developing the condition themselves.

Find Relief for PCOS Visit Our Comfortable Office in Houston, TX

Dr. Kristiansen is ​board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI). She is dedicated to helping women improve their fertility at her clinic serving Sugar Land and Houston, TX.

If you have PCOS, she can help alleviate your symptoms and improve your chances of having children. Insurance plans often cover PCOS treatment, and we offer medication assistance programs and accept financing to help make any out-of-pocket costs more affordable.

If you think you have PCOS and would like to seek treatment at Houston Fertility Center, fill out our online contact form or reach us by phone:

Team

"They don’t treat you like a business."

"I love this place and Dr. K has a high success rate. This is why I initially went to her clinic. They don’t treat you like a business but it’s very personal. I was successful on my first IVF attempt and had a healthy baby girl. I will be using her for my next baby when I’m able. Highly recommended."
Vicky Montenegro

What Causes Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

Although the exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown, doctors have linked it to high levels of androgen and insulin. To determine how these are factoring into your health, our team in Houston, TX, can evaluate you for the following health problems during your consultation: 

Androgens

All women have a small amount of androgens (male hormones) in their bodies. However, women with PCOS produce higher levels than normal, which can cause acne, male-pattern baldness, excess hair growth, and irregular menstrual periods.

Insulin

Insulin is the hormone that assists with the digestion of food. When functioning normally, it turns sugar into energy. If your body is insulin resistant, your blood sugar levels can rise. Insulin resistance frequently leads to type 2 diabetes, especially in obese patients. However, insulin resistance can also cause an increase in androgens, which in turn can lead to PCOS.

Did You Know?

PCOS can lead to serious long-term health problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, so it is important that you seek a professional diagnosis right away if you think you might suffer from this condition.

The Diagnostic Process 

If Dr. Kristiansen suspects you may have polycystic ovaries, she will perform a full physical examination and fertility evaluation at her clinic in Houston, TX. This may include a pelvic exam and transvaginal ultrasound. Using this technology, we can determine the health of your uterine lining and identify any cysts on your ovaries. If necessary, we may take additional blood tests to review your hormone levels.

a doctor and her patient

"We will always be thankful..."

"Dr. Kristiansen and all the staff are great. We went in for a RIVF consultation and due to the way they treated us and made us feel we decided to begin the process as soon as we were able to. We will always be thankful to Dr. Kristiansen, Blanca, Melissa and especially Mayra they are all amazing, they helped us with our thousand questions and doubts and when we felt discouraged they kept our spirits up. Thanks to them we are now expecting our precious baby girl. We definitely recommend Houston Fertility Center."
Diana B

Get the Help You Need to Manage PCOS Request a consultation today

Because Dr. Kristiansen is board-certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI), she can accurately diagnose and treat a range of reproductive issues, including polycystic ovarian syndrome, to help improve your fertility. She is dedicated to helping patients in Houston and the surrounding areas achieve their dreams of expanding their families. 

If you are struggling with symptoms of PCOS, contact our fertility center in Houston, TX, for a consultation. You can fill out our online form or call us at:

(713) 225-5375

Treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

After diagnosing PCOS, we can establish a treatment plan. Although PCOS is incurable, you can manage symptoms with:

To determine the cause of PCOS, our team can perform a thorough evaluation using the latest techniques. 
To determine the cause of PCOS, our team can perform a thorough evaluation using the latest techniques. 

Lifestyle Adjustments and Medications

These include weight loss, birth control pills, anti-androgen medication, Metformin (a medication to control type 2 diabetes), or fertility medications such as Clomid to help you ovulate regularly.

Holistic Treatments

We also offer holistic treatments should you desire a more natural approach. Weight loss and a healthy diet can also help.

Fertility Treatments

If more conservative treatments have failed, we may recommend in vitro fertilization (IVF). During this process, we can retrieve eggs from the female partner and sperm from the male partner. We can then combine the eggs and sperm in our laboratory and carefully supervise their growth. Once the embryos have developed, we can transfer them to the uterus.

Making Lifestyle Changes to Manage Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

The effects PCOS can have on your body can be dangerous, but weight loss can help relieve some of them. At our Houston fertility care office, we recommend:

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Weight loss can help lower insulin and androgen levels, and being mindful of what you eat can reverse insulin resistance. Eating a healthy diet can lead to weight loss and may even improve ovulation.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise can lower blood sugar levels. For those who have PCOS, daily exercise can treat insulin resistance to help prevent diabetes and keep your weight at a stable level.

"Y’all made our dreams come true."

"I Definitely want to thank Houston Fertility clinic. Y’all made our dreams come true. I couldn’t thank y’all enough we are obsessed with our baby girl. Anyone who is trying to conceive, I would definitely recommend them.
Dave Bertrand
Dr. Sonja Kristiansen

Houston Fertility Center

Dr. Sonja Kristiansen is the founder and Medical Director of Houston Fertility Center. She is a board-certified Reproductive Endocrinologist Infertility (REI) specialist who is proud to help hopeful parents fulfill their dreams of having children. Our center is affiliated with the:

  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine
  • Texas Medical Association

We provide convenient care for patients from greater Houston and visitors from out of town. For more information about our services, contact our office online or call (713) 225-5375 today.

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