The world of finding the root cause of PCOS requires navigating a complex healthcare system with specialists who sound very similar. You may have to navigate multiple specialists for your PCOS over a lifetime as your body and priorities change. If you need immediate assistance, answer a few short questions and we will recommend doctors in your area with a focus on holistic health.

There are many symptoms of PCOS. You may not have all of them and some might manifest on their own timeline. By now you probably have a sense of your unique manifestation and experience of symptoms. If not, make sure you get a proper 1st evaluation before starting the journey of finding a well-rounded care team.

This article will demystify who’s who in treating PCOS symptoms, such as what’s the difference between a functional doctor vs. an endocrinologist. When is a specialist relevant? And, resources such as websites to speed up your specialist discovery and learning with or without insurance are at the end.

If you already have a background on PCOS and are ready to start the management journey, skip ahead to the Who’s Who section to discover specialists.

What is PCOS

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a hormonal and metabolic disorder common among women of reproductive age. It causes enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges. You don’t need to have cysts to be diagnosed with the condition.

Here’s a deep dive introduction from a previous post.

PCOS Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms include irregular periods, excess androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries.

PCOS may lead to or exaggerate fertility issues, insulin resistance, weight gain, and other health complications. Other symptoms are listed below.

• Acne
• Weight gain
• Skin tags
• Excess body hair
• Thinning hair
• Male-pattern baldness
• Dark skin patches in the armpits or under the breasts

Over time there is a higher risk of:

• Diabetes: more than half of women with PCOS develop diabetes by the age of 40. This is due to an unmanaged decrease in insulin sensitivity which eventually progresses to diabetes.
• Heart Disease: with the excess insulin that comes with PCOS, there is a higher chance of weight gain and elevated cholesterol. Abnormal cholesterol promotes the buildup of plaque in the arteries contributing to a higher chance of heart disease.
• Uterine Cancer: not getting periods in time means the uterus is exposed to estrogen for a long time without a break, increasing the risk of uterine cancer.

PCOS Diagnosis

Based on the 2003 Rotterdam Criteria assessment, 2 out of 3 of the following must be present for diagnosing PCOS:

• Clinical or biochemical signs of androgen excess (excess male pattern hair growth, acne)
• Oligoovulation (irregular or infrequent periods)
• Polycystic ovaries by ultrasound

Your diagnosis probably started at your primary care provider or gynecologist. You were probably also prescribed bloodwork to confirm your diagnosis.

Once you’re suspected or diagnosed of having PCOS your primary care may have you see a specialist depending on the severity of the symptoms and your goals.

Who’s Who? Understanding PCOS Specialists

Endocrinologist

A doctor specializing in conditions that affect your hormones and metabolism.

They can treat you for Diabetes, Thyroid disorder, Hirsutism or excessive hair growth, Infertility, and Menopause.

If you have these conditions or the following symptoms, you might want to see an endocrinologist or ask for a referral. Symptoms include unexplained weight gain or loss, new or increased hair growth, hot flashes, breaking hair, changes in menstrual periods, and more.

If you are experiencing issues related to fertility, you might choose a Reproductive Endocrinologist specialist instead for treatment and intervention.

Dietitian/Nutritionist

A registered dietitian or nutritionist can help with conditions and symptoms dealing with insulin resistance and weight management. She will help develop a personalized diet plan.

Counselor

A psychology counselor, also known as a mental health counselor or psychotherapist, is someone who is trained to provide counseling and psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, families, and groups.

They typically do not have the training to conduct psychological assessments or diagnose mental health disorders.

Psychologist

Living with PCOS can be emotionally challenging, especially if it affects your self-esteem or mental health.

Psychologists primarily provide assessments, diagnose, and provide therapy and counseling to address psychological and emotional issues related to PCOS

Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.) who specialize in mental health and psychiatric disorders. They can offer a broader combination of medication management, therapy, and psychiatric evaluation for more complex mental health concerns

Dermatologist

PCOS can manifest with symptoms such as acne and excessive hair growth (hirsutism). A dermatologist can assist in managing these symptoms through medication or other treatments.

Functional Doctor

A functional or integrative doctor ( M.D or D.O) approaches healthcare with the intent of understanding the whole person and addressing the underlying causes of health issues rather than just treating symptoms

When it comes to PCOS, functional or integrative medicine practitioners take into account the complex interactions between hormones, metabolism, lifestyle factors, and environmental influences that contribute to the condition.

They do not provide urgent care or emergency medicine.

You may want to see a functional doctor for ambiguous and chronic conditions that a PCP or conventional medical specialist can’t seem to address or resolve. They can also provide more holistic counseling for lifestyle, diet, and supplementation changes.

How to Find a Specialist

Start with Your Primary Care Doctor (PCP) and get a Referral

Chances are your PCP ordered your initial bloodwork and gave you the initial diagnosis. If not, if you have insurance, you can schedule an appointment with your current PCP to discuss your symptoms and concerns.

Depending on your concerns and the progression of PCOS symptoms, you might get referred to one or more of the specialists mentioned above. You can also ask your PCP for this referral if you want to manage your care more holistically.

Note: a functional or integrative care doctor can also serve as your PCP. If you’re seeking more root cause-based care for your condition, you may want to find a functional or integrative care doctor. They are often not part of large medical systems and operate out of private practices.

Start with Your Health Care Provider (Insurance)

Check your health insurance provider's website or contact their customer service to find out which healthcare providers are in-network for you. This can help you narrow down your options and potentially reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Ask your Friends and Family for a Referral

If you’ve received the initial diagnosis and have been referred or want to find a specialist (dietitian, psychologist etc), reach out to our network to see if anyone has had a positive experience with a specialist related to PCOS management.

Local Hospitals or Medical Centers

Hospitals or medical centers near you often have departments or clinics dedicated to women's health or endocrinology where you can find specialists who treat PCOS.

Community Health Centers

If you do not have insurance, are financially constrained, or are in between jobs, you can find a local Community Health Center that offers affordable healthcare services. Search for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in your state here.

A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) is a community-based healthcare provider that receives funding from the federal government to provide comprehensive primary care services to underserved populations

FQHCs offer a wide range of services, including primary medical care, dental care, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment.

They serve all patients regardless of their ability to pay and offer sliding fee scales for uninsured or low-income individuals.

Online Directories

Health Grades or ZocDoc can be useful online directories to quickly find a PCP or specialist near you.

For psychologists, check out Psychology Today and search based on your zip code. You can search by background and schedule an initial intro call to see if you and your psychologist are aligned on the method of care.

Check to see if your employer offers mental health benefits such as Spring Health. If they don’t then your HSA account should allow you to spend on most telehealth or counseling services.

Whether you’re looking for a long-term psychologist or just need a short-term consultation, Better Help or TalkSpace can be a fast way to get the care you need.

To find a PCOS dietitian near you, you can easily browse by your state here.

Managing your Condition

PCOS symptoms manifest in a myriad of ways at different stages of life. An early diagnosis is critical to mitigating a lifetime of worry and unintended consequences.

There are countless blogs online that provide inspiring and easy recipes to benefit the healing journey. Here are some of my favorites:

• Dr. Taz
• What Molly Made
• Dr. Bojana

Starting with your PCP you can create a holistic care team around you to create a timely nutrition, fitness, medication, and supplementation plan to reduce the long-term impact of PCOS. Online communities and blogs will help you stay inspired and motivated to take back control of PCOS and lead your best life.

Ready to find a specialist? Answer a few short questions and we will recommend one in your area with a focus on holistic health.