Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are common medical conditions that affect women. While they have similar symptoms and can both cause fertility issues, they are two different disorders. Below is a basic overview of these illnesses.

What Is Endometriosis?

This condition affects an estimated 11% of American women between the ages of 15 and 44 and occurs when a women’s uterine lining—the endometrium—grows outside of the uterus. Symptoms include excessively painful cramps, heavy menstrual periods, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, pain during sex, and bowel or urinary problems.

What Is PCOS?

PCOS affects a similar number of women of child-bearing age in the U.S.—between 6% and 12%. The condition occurs as a result of an overproduction of male hormones, which can cause heavy or irregular periods, facial hair growth, thinning hair, weight gain, acne, and ovarian cysts.

How Are They Treated?

Both conditions can be treated by taking birth control pills, which help regulate hormones in PCOS sufferers and reduce pain in women with endometriosis by preventing ovulation and menstruation. If you’re trying to get pregnant and don’t want to go on birth control, your gynecologist might refer you to an infertility doctor for specialized treatment. Diet and lifestyle changes can also help both conditions. In some cases of endometriosis, surgery may be necessary.

Can You Have Both?

It is possible to have both conditions at once. Typically, a doctor may suspect both disorders are present when a patient reports symptoms of PCOS combined with extreme pelvic pain. To diagnose endometriosis, a gynecologist must extract and test tissue from the pelvis. A PCOS diagnosis requires blood tests and a pelvic exam.

If you think you may have endometriosis, PCOS, or both, contact Dr. William M. Jamieson today. With locations in Cincinnati and Mason, OH, this board-certified gynecologist and obstetrician provides a wide range of women’s health care services, from endometriosis and PCOS treatment to hormone therapy, menopause care, and contraceptive advice. Visit the practice’s website for more information, and call (513) 241-7744 to schedule an appointment.