Pcos

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have pcos and I dont get periods on my own. I have to take prova to get a period. So I was wondering if I can ovulate even though I dont get a period. Also does the prova help to ovulate.

Dear Amanda:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. One of the most common symptoms are menstrual intervals longer than 35 days; fewer than eight menstrual cycles a year; failure to menstruate for four months or longer; and prolonged periods that may be scant or heavy and because of these women with polycystic ovary syndrome may have trouble becoming pregnant because they experience infrequent ovulation or a lack of ovulation due to the hormonal imbalance.

Your doctor could prescribe you Oral contraceptives pills to regulate your menses and to estimate when would be your most fertile days, however if you are trying pregnant he may prescribe metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR), an oral medication for type 2 diabetes that lowers insulin levels. This drug improves ovulation and leads to regular menstrual cycles.