Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is associated with a number of unpleasant symptoms. However, there are some simple lifestyle choices you can make to ease many of them. These include:

1. Weight management
   Obesity or unwanted weight gain are commonly associated with PCOS. Women are encouraged to consult with a doctor or registered dietitian to formulate a weight-control plan tailored to their specific needs. This plan should include an exercise regimen for the healthy management of weight. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of total body weight may help women resume normal ovulation. In addition, a healthy diet and regular exercise are the best ways to prevent long-term consequences of PCOS such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
   
   
2. Menstrual irregularities
   Women with PCOS ovulate irregularly and/or infrequently, and as a result, commonly have irregular menstrual periods. Generally, women with PCOS have fewer than six to eight menstrual periods a year. This can put them at risk for developing uterine (endometrial) cancer. To prevent the build-up of the uterine lining (endometrium), which is shed during menstruation, women with PCOS will need to have their menstruation induced from to time to time. Contraceptives containing the hormones estrogen and progesterone (e.g., birth control pills, the patch) are the most common form of treatment for establishing normal menstrual periods in women with PCOS. Another method for treating menstrual irregularities is to take a progesterone-like drug, such as medroxyprogesterone acetate, for 10 to 14 days every one to two months. Although typically prescribed for women with PCOS who are trying to get pregnant, the insulin-lowering agent metformin can also help restore menstruation in some women with the condition. Physicians may also recommend that patients lose a modest amount of weight to help restore normal menstruation. Many overweight women with PCOS who lose 5 to 10 percent of their body weight notice that their periods become more regular.
   
   
3. Relieving PMS-like symptoms
   When women with PCOS have menstrual periods, they may experience severe PMS-like symptoms including cramping, bloating and irritability. Many women with PCOS who are taking birth control pills or are on the patch to regulate menstruation usually experience relief from PMS symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can also help ease PMS. Many symptoms associated with PMS may be also be prevented or lessened by eating a healthy, well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and cutting back on processed foods. Reducing sodium intake to prevent bloating and drinking lots of water can also help. In addition, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising daily can help ease symptoms of PMS.
   

    

4. Removal of unwanted body hair
   Another major PCOS symptom is excessive hair growth, or hirsutism. Although not medically necessary, many women prefer to remove the excess hair.  Waxing is a short-term option for hair removal and can be performed at beauty salons and spas. Another option is permanent hair removal which can be done through treatments such as electrolysis or laser therapy. Consult your doctor or dermatologist before undergoing any permanent hair removal treatments.
   
   
5. Treating skin problems
   Women with PCOS can experience various skin problems including acne, acanthosis nigricans (darkening of the skin around the areas of the neck, arms, breasts or thighs) and skin tags (small pieces of excess skin around the armpit or neck area). Generally, skin problems associated with PCOS improve with the use of medications (e.g., birth control pills, anti-androgens, insulin-lowering agents) commonly prescribed for the treatment of PCOS. However, persistent skin problems require consultation with a dermatologist.

    

6. Hair loss
   The hormonal imbalance associated with PCOS can result in male-pattern hair thinning and loss for some women with the condition. Hormone therapy along with corticosteroids and anti-androgens like spironolactone may be prescribed to reduce levels of androgens in women with PCOS. This type of treatment usually improves hair thinning and loss. However, severe hair thinning and loss require consultation with a dermatologist specializing in hair loss and restoration methods (e.g., hair transplant).

    

7. Not smoking
   If you have PCOS, it is also important that you avoid nicotine. If you smoke, quit. If you don't smoke, steer clear of the fumes. Both first- and secondhand smoke increase the risk of complications commonly associated with PCOS, such as heart disease.
   
   
8. Annual visits to a gynecologist
   All women benefit from regular gynecologic examinations. Furthermore, yearly visits to a gynecologist for pelvic exams are an important part of PCOS treatment. During the exam, your doctor can detect early signs of either ovarian cancer or uterine cancer, for which women who have irregular periods or do not menstruate are at greater risk.

    

9. Address infertility issues
   

   Infertility is often associated with PCOS. Furthermore, many of the medications used in treatment are not advisable for women who are or may become pregnant. Because of this, the treatment options for PCOS vary widely between women who wish to become pregnant and those who do not.

    

   Women with PCOS who wish to become pregnant are often given fertility treatments to increase their odds of becoming pregnant. Fertility drugs are usually the first option. These drugs are intended to correct hormonal imbalances and to stimulate the production of mature eggs.

   If medications fail to help a woman become pregnant, other options remain. Most involve implantation of the fertilized egg into the woman's uterus. Such techniques are known as assisted reproductive technology, or ART.

   Talk to your gynecologist or an infertility specialist about your infertility treatment options.