Hormonal disorders
PCOS: understand first, then treat what shows
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects around one woman in ten. At the Asnières-sur-Seine clinic, the consultation first looks for the cause of the imbalance, then treats its visible effects: acne, excess hair growth, hair loss.
Recognising PCOS
PCOS is a hormonal imbalance rather than a disease of the ovaries in the strict sense. To very variable degrees it combines excess androgen production, irregular ovulation and sometimes insulin resistance. It is that combination which explains signs that appear to have nothing to do with one another.
Many women live with PCOS for years without knowing: their acne was treated, then their excess hair growth, then their hair loss, each one separately, without the signs ever being connected.
- irregular, infrequent or absent cycles
- acne that persists into adulthood, especially on the lower face
- excess hair on the face, neck, chest or abdomen (hirsutism)
- hair thinning on the top of the scalp
- unexplained weight gain, tiredness after meals
- difficulty conceiving
The work-up at the clinic
The first consultation starts with a detailed interview: the history of your cycles, family history, treatments already tried, and the impact on daily life. The clinical examination assesses the skin, the distribution of hair growth and hair density.
A hormonal blood work-up is then prescribed, completed if needed by a metabolic work-up and a pelvic ultrasound. The aim is not to pile up tests, but to confirm the diagnosis and rule out the other possible causes of excess androgens.
The results are explained at a review consultation: what each value means, what is involved in your case, and what can be improved.
The available options
Care is always built with you, according to what bothers you most and your life plans — including any plan for pregnancy, which changes the therapeutic options.
Depending on the situation it combines medical treatment of the hormonal imbalance, lifestyle advice targeted at insulin resistance, and treatment of the visible signs: laser hair removal or electrolysis for hirsutism, a protocol for acne, scalp mesotherapy and long-term treatment for hair loss.
Follow-up is regular: a hormonal imbalance is not corrected in a single session, and treatments are reassessed over the months.
Frequently asked questions
Can PCOS be cured?
You do not “cure” PCOS the way you cure an infection: it is a hormonal background that changes with age and lifestyle. Its manifestations, however — acne, excess hair growth, irregular cycles, hair loss — can very often be well controlled when they are managed coherently.
Do I have to stop the pill to have the work-up?
Not necessarily, and certainly not on your own initiative. Some hormone levels cannot be interpreted on combined contraception: the doctor will tell you, in your situation, whether the timing of the work-up needs to be adjusted.
Can I consult if I already have a diagnosis?
Yes, and it is common. Many patients come with a known diagnosis but skin or hair signs that have never been treated, or a treatment they tolerate poorly.
Book an appointment
Consultation at the clinic, 10 rue Vladimir Kramnik, 92600 Asnières-sur-Seine. For a first appointment, choose “first consultation”.
Book an appointment onThe information on this page is general in nature and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary from one person to another. For aesthetic procedures, a written quote is provided and a cooling-off period is observed.