Project PCOS: When were you first diagnosed with PCOS and how?
Dr. Huang: I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was in medical school in Toronto by one of my professors when I presented with irregular menses, fatigue and weight gain. this was 15 years ago, my diagnosis was based on clinical history, blood work and pelvic ultrasound.
Project PCOS: As both a professional and a patient what are some recommendations to living a healthier life with PCOS?
Dr. Huang: The most important thing is loving and respecting myself - so that I can take care of myself - while striving to find balance - nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, adequate sleep, good quality vitamins and appropriate medications - balanced with my role as healthcare provider to educate and take care of my patients - balanced with my role as wife and mother to an almost 6 year old daughter:)
Project PCOS: What is integrated medicine and how can it help a woman with PCOS?
Dr. Huang: Integrative Medicine is much more than just the combination of allopathic and alternative medicine techniques. Integrative Medicine is healing-oriented healthcare that takes into account the whole person (mind, body and spirit). It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of all appropriate modalities, both conventional and alternative . PCOS affect us not only hormonally and metabolically, but also presents challenges emotionally and interpersonally. using an integrative approach, the effects of PCOS can be addressed on all these levels. Research has also increasingly shown the importance of mind-body connection - especially how stress affects insulin resistance and fertility. so it makes sense to address both the mind and the body when approaching PCOS.
Project PCOS: Why is PCOS so difficult to diagnose?
Dr. Huang: PCOS represents a spectrum with significant individual variations in symptoms and severity. even though we have a pretty good idea of what clinically constitutes PCOS, there is still ongoing debate as to what the exact criteria for diagnosis should be. PCOS is particularly difficult to diagnose in women who are not obese, as one of the most common myths among physicians is that PCOS patients have to be overweight. diagnosis is also particularly challenging in Asian women, who generally have insulin resistance at a lower body weight compared to caucasians, and asian women generally do not have as much hyperandrogenic symptoms such as acne or hirsutism. I am an Asian (Chinese) woman with BMI at diagnosis of 23, so it was not an easy diagnosis and I still get comments from other doctors (what? you have PCOS? you don't LOOK like a PCOS patient!)
Project PCOS: What steps can and should the professional and patient take to better understand and manage PCOS?
Dr. Huang: The first step is education and raising awareness in both healthcare providers and in patients. emphasis need to be placed on understanding both the hormonally and the metabolic consequences of PCOS - so that both short term and long term management goals are set and met.
Project PCOS: Why is it important to incorporate lifestyle changes in treating PCOS?
Dr. Huang: Because the core defect in PCOS is insulin resistance which is significantly affected by our lifestyle - nutrition, exercise, stress reduction and sleep. and because PCOS is a chronic condition - so we must adopt sustainable lifestyle change to help us live long and high quality lives:)
Project PCOS: What are some strategies women with PCOS can use to better communicate with their doctors?
Dr. Huang: Be well informed, and be open in discussing symptoms and concerns, and be sure to discuss all treatments one may be considering/undertaking - including all supplements and alternative modalities as well as pharmacological therapies. it is important to work with providers who are knowledgeable about PCOS and who are open-minded, and euthusiastic about keeping up to date with the research. ultimately a supportive and openly communicative doctor-patient relationship leads to better outcomes.
Project PCOS: Why is it important to recognize and treat the symptoms of PCOS early?
Dr. Huang: Early diagnosis and treatment allow women to institute lifestyle modifications and appropriate pharmacologic treatments to help prevent the long term consequences of PCOS - ie. to help prevent diabetes and heart disease. and the earlier diagnosis and treatment is also very important in maximizing fertility if that is in the individual woman's plans.
Read Dr. Huang's full biography.
