Some women are lucky and have found a doctor who understands Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). And sometimes it can be really tricky finding a doctor who is right for you and who specialises in treating PCOS.
Remember, the most important thing is that it is a service industry and it’s entirely OK to shop around and find a doctor who is right for you.
Alarm bells should ring if a doctor tells you the following: ‘don’t worry, come back and see me when you want to get pregnant’. If this happens, you MUST find someone else straight away as your symptoms need treating NOW to stop serious complications in later life.
Here are some tips for finding Doctor Right and when to leave Doctor Wrong.
1. Finding the right type of Doctor
There are many types of doctors who can treat PCOS; from your local GP to a specialist. The most important thing is that they are up to date with current research and that you feel comfortable with their methods of practice.
Types of doctors that can treat PCOS are:
- General Practitioner (GP)
- Obstetrician/Gynaecologist (Ob/Gyn)*
- Endocrinologist *
- Reproductive Endocrinologist*
* To see a specialist you will need to obtain a referral from a GP. Your GP will be able to recommend some specialists but you can also request a referral to your own nominated specialist. Choosing your own specialist may be based on accessibility, a recommendation or any other personal reason such as a preference to see a female/male Doctor.
2. Let your fingers do the walking
Ringing around can help you find the perfect doctor for you. Get out your Yellow Pages and look under Medical Practitioners. Ask the receptionist or nurse on duty at the clinic if the Doctor is knowledgeable about PCOS. Does he/she treat it often? Are they focused on the fertility-side of treating PCOS or do they treat all aspects of the syndrome? Does the practice have an information sheet on how the clinic runs and their style of treatment that can be sent to you?
Ring a local university that has a Medical school. There might be someone in their Endocrinology or Reproductive Endocrinology Department who takes patients or that can recommend someone that is up-to-date on PCOS. Universities can often be at the leading edge with PCOS as they may conduct studies into the disorder.
Ring your GP or Ob/Gyn. Do they know of a doctor who specialises in PCOS?
Ring/Email your state POSAA delegate and see if they know of a doctor in your area.
3. How to select and evaluate a doctor
Try to find answers to the following questions (obviously some of the answers can come only from the experience of other couples or from meeting with the doctor yourself at least once):
Credentials: What is the doctor's background and training? (What degrees, certification, professional memberships do they have?) Many doctors' offices will provide written information, sometimes you might have to ask for it.
Skill and Experience: how skilled and experienced is the doctor? If interested in fertility issues, ask what procedures they do. How often? What are their success rates? You are allowed to ask these questions.
Accessibility - is the doctor:
- Located within a reasonable distance with office hours convenient to you?
- Able to allocate adequate time to you as a new patient?
- Affordable: can you afford the out of pocket costs after Medicare and Health Insurance rebates are collected?
- Professionalism: does the doctor
- Prepare for your appointment? (has reviewed your records)
- Review and re-evaluate your status and progress periodically?
- Value and use information from the patient?
- Cooperate with other doctors and health professionals you might need?
- Demonstrate a professional attitude and behavior? (reads and explains records and test results thoroughly, refers to specialists, respects other medical and allied health professionals)
- Manage an efficient office that provides a pleasant environment for staff and patients?
Personality and Style:
- What is the doctor's treatment style? (conservative? aggressive?)
- How well and often does the doctor communicate with you?
- Does the doctor respect you as a person, as part of a couple and as a partner in care?
- Does the doctor show compassion and understanding?
- Remember though, doctors are humans too, they have bad days too!
When to change doctors
Sometimes treating PCOS is a long, drawn-out process in which the "success" of having a baby or improving your quality of life can take a long time. It’s easy to get frustrated and transfer your anger to your medical caregivers. Therefore, you need to rely on objective measures of the quality of care you are receiving.
Consider changing doctors if you are experiencing:
- Treatment without diagnosis.
- Lack of progress or dissatisfaction with progress over a long period of time.
- Apparent lack of a treatment plan or disagreement about the treatment plan.
- Minimal communication and attention to your concerns.
- Loss of confidence in the doctor's skill and knowledge.
- A doctor is who is unwilling to listen to your concerns.
Further reading
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Factsheet: The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - a starting point, not a diagnosis |
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PCOS Australian Alliance and the guideline for assessment and management of PCOS |