Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common gynecological problems diagnosed in women. Dr. Anna Le and the team at Annandale Ob-Gyn encourage you to seek early treatment for PCOS to avoid serious complications like infertility. To learn more about PCOS, call one of their offices in Annandale or Alexandria, Virginia, or book an appointment online for a thorough health evaluation.
"Dr Anna Le was very knowledgeable and at the same time very kind and considerate."
"Thank you for Shara; she was so pleasant."
"It is wonderful place which I have ever seen since 2 years I am coming to this place for all my check up ."
"Dr. Le and her staff were all phenomenal! I really appreciated getting an ultrasound then and there and not have to wait to make a follow up appt. She understood all my concerns and provided honest feedback. I'm excited to have found this practice!"
"I've never been to an OB/GYN. I was REALLY impressed. The doctor really listened to my problems and her plan of action is really reasonable. I was totally at ease & I will absolutely be back in the future. The staff was so polite, and the building was really clean. I felt like I was in great hands."
"Shara is wonderful! She is the only provider that has ever made me feel comfortable at an OBGYN."
"Dr. Summer is the greatest doctor!"
"I love all the staff and doctors at Annandale OBGYN! They're all so amazing."
"Excellent doctor and staff. Love the location. From beginning to end the staff was courteous and the doctor very knowledgeable, I would recommend her any time ! Looking forward for my next appointment."
"The staff and doctors are awesome! i give it 5 stars and recomend it to any woman that is expecting."
"Dr. Le is warm and personable and very knowledgeable."
"Excellent!! Went there before/during/after my pregnancy! All staff are very nice and friendly!! LOVE IT!!"
"Amazing staff, I fully trusted everyone with my pregnancy."
"I have been to three separate OBGYN offices over the last three years, and have come away dissatisfied, or even horrified, at some of the experiences. I visited Annandale OBGYN this week and it was everything the other businesses were not - professional, clean, timely, informative, and attentive."
"They are the best!"
"Dr. Le was very warm, thoughtful, knowledgeable with excellent bedside manners. Her staffs was so friendly and helpful. They always made us feel welcomed and the care was so personable. Just one word: Outstanding!!!"
"I really love this office everyone is so nice , the office is really gorgeous and the doctors there are amazing they really take time to listen to you and you don’t feel like your visit is being rushed even though they are a really busy office . They listen to any concerns and you give you different options to what they think is best or what you would want, overall lovely office and staff!"
"Amazing staff and service. Everyone is very nice and attentive, I would highly recommend this place to a friend or anyone who is looking for an Ob-Gyn doctor. The office has staff that speak Spanish, Vietnamese, and English."
"After calling numerous Gyn offices & never had staff call me back, I was able to get an appointment quickly at Annandale Gyn. Staff very nice to work me into their schedule. Dr. Awad is a very pleasant, professional doctor. His manner was empathetic & concerned."
"I was more than pleased with my visit. Everyone was friendly, compassionate, knowledgeable, and prompt. I would recommend this office to everyone!"
"My research paid off. She is amazing in so many ways. Listening carefully, taking me seriously, and making sure my questions were all answered are what make her unique in a medical field of in and out patients. The office staff is fabulous too. I had an issue with my prescription and her staff quickly solved the problem in minutes over the phone. She is a 'unicorn' in the OBGYN world!"
"Everyone here is absolutely wonderful! Very welcoming from day one, I wouldn't want to go any place else! They are very helpful in so many ways! Thank you to everyone here for making my pregnancy even more special!"
"Dr. Anna Le sincerely cares about her patients."
"Great staff, everyone was very efficient and personable, had a great first impression and their time wait was very short!"
"Been coming to Dr. Le for more than 12 years. She has delivered all my children and each one was unique. She’s not only your Dr but she is also My moral support and she is like my family. Will never go anywhere else. Thank you Dr. Le"
"I was more than pleased with my visit. Everyone was friendly, compassionate, knowledgeable, and prompt. I would recommend this office to everyone!"
"Everyone here is absolutely wonderful! Very welcoming from day one, I wouldn't want to go any place else! They are very helpful in so many ways! Thank you to everyone here for making my pregnancy even more special!"
"Dr. Anna Le sincerely cares about her patients. Her knowledge and care for her patients go beyond expectations- 5 stars!"
"It is a nice centre. I am happy with their services, they are quick in providing ultrasounds etc because can actually provide the ultrasound service in the same appointment which is time saving. All the doctors are wonderful."
"Excellent doctor and staff. From beginning to end the staff was courteous and the doctor very knowledgeable."
What is polycystic ovary syndrome?
Women with PCOS have an imbalance of hormones that affect their ovaries. As a result, eggs may not develop normally or an egg isn’t released every month.
While the exact cause of PCOS remains under investigation, medical experts believe that it’s influenced by genetics and an imbalance of androgens. Androgens are male sex hormones that women normally have in small amounts. By comparison, women with PCOS have high levels of androgens than other women do.
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
PCOS usually develops at puberty, but can occur later in life. If you have PCOS, you’ll have at least two of the three primary symptoms:
- Abnormal menstruation: Irregular, prolonged, or absent
- Ovarian cysts: Small fluid-filled sacs found in the ovaries
- Hirsutism: Excess facial and body hair due to high androgens
Some women may also experience symptoms such as:
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Skin tags in armpits or neck
- Darkening of skin on neck, groin, and under breasts
What are health problems associated with PCOS?
Hormone imbalances have an impact throughout your body, which means women with PCOS can develop other serious health problems including:
- Infertility – PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility because your ovaries don’t produce eggs or randomly release them.
- Excess weight – It’s estimated that more than half of women with PCOS gain weight. This may be caused by high levels of androgens or a tendency to develop insulin resistance.
- Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes – Nearly 40% of women with PCOS develop insulin resistance, whether they gain weight or not. Insulin resistance — when your body doesn’t respond properly to insulin — increases your risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Metabolic syndrome – PCOS raises the risk of metabolic syndrome, which includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and high cholesterol or triglycerides.
How is PCOS treated?
When PCOS goes untreated, the hormone imbalances and health conditions associated with it can create cycles that continuously worsen the problem. For example, insulin resistance causes weight gain, while weight gain worsens insulin resistance, making it more likely you’ll develop type 2 diabetes.
Treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms, because there’s currently no cure for PCOS. Your treatment plan is always customized to meet your needs. It may include lifestyle changes to help you lose weight, or your doctor may prescribe one of many possible medications that promote ovulation, regulate menstrual periods, or eliminate excessive hair growth.
