Yale PCOS Program: A “One-Stop Shop” for Women with PCOS

Because Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects more than just the ovaries, Yale experts are teaming up to form a PCOS center for excellence. Clinicians at the Yale Program for PCOS will not only treat PCOS but also address problems that may accompany this diagnosis including fertility problems, body weight and body image issues, high cholesterol, insulin resistance and risk for diabetes, high blood pressure and risk for heart disease. The result will be what Dr. Pinar Kodaman, calls a “more holistic approach.”

“Beyond improving the overall health of women with PCOS, our goals are to help the patients take charge of PCOS,” says Dr. Lubna Pal, director of the Yale PCOS Program. During a single convenient appointment, patients will undergo evaluation by our team of expert physicians and nutritionists. Management strategies will be individualized to the needs of each patient. Risk profiles for heart disease and diabetes will be determined through detailed assessments, including tests that reflect the most advanced research into the disorder. Health goals will be identified (target weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, vitamin D level) and our team will work with each patient to ensure that these goals are met.

Each of the Yale Ob/Gyn physicians at the Yale PCOS Program brings her own expertise to the table:
Adolescents and teenagers with symptoms of PCOS (such as menstrual irregularities, excessive facial and body hair and acne) will benefit from Dr. Beth Rackow’s expertise in adolescent gynecology and menstrual disorders.

Utilizing combinations of lifestyle modifications and medications, Dr. Kodaman will focus on reducing risks for cardiovascular disease while Dr. Pal concentrates on issues of insulin resistance and diabetes.

Dr. Stephen Thung, a Yale Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist with a special interest in the management of gestational diabetes and hypertension in pregnancy (common in women with PCOS), joins the team as a resource for preconception consultation for patients deemed at high risk for pregnancy-related problems.

Amy Krystock, a registered dietitian, employs a total lifestyle modification approach, utilizing customized diet and exercise programs for women with PCOS.

Dorothy Greenfeld, LCSW, provides an invaluable resource for psychological support, helping patients overcome the stress of PCOS symptoms and diagnosis.

By combining our efforts and expertise, we hope to be able to address the health needs of women of all ages diagnosed with PCOS. “I can foresee a teenager with PCOS being cared for at our center through her reproductive years into menopause,” says Dr. Pal.