What is the best treatment for PCOS?

It depends on your symptoms and goals. Healthy habits come first; birth control pills are a first choice for irregular periods, acne and unwanted hair; and metformin helps insulin resistance. Dr. Munib builds the plan around what bothers you most.

Can PCOS be treated naturally?

Healthy eating, regular activity and modest weight loss can make periods more regular and improve blood sugar. Supplements such as inositol are not proven, so talk with Dr. Munib before relying on them.

How is PCOS treated without birth control pills?

Metformin, weight treatment, and acne and hair care can all be used without the pill. The choice depends on your symptoms and whether you are trying to become pregnant.

Can PCOS cause hair loss, and can it be treated?

Yes. Higher androgens can thin hair on top of the scalp. Treatment can include lowering androgens, topical minoxidil and treating insulin resistance, and results take several months.

Can I take Wegovy or Zepbound for PCOS?

They are not approved for PCOS itself, but they may be used for weight in women who qualify. They are stopped before a planned pregnancy, and Zepbound can make birth control pills less reliable for a few weeks after each dose change.

Do I need an ultrasound to diagnose PCOS?

Not always. If you have irregular periods and signs of high androgens, PCOS can be diagnosed without one once other causes are ruled out. Teens are not diagnosed by ultrasound within eight years of their first period.

Can teens be treated for PCOS?

Yes. Dr. Munib sees teens 12 and older. Diagnosis in teens is more careful, and treatment focuses on regular periods, skin and healthy habits.

Is PCOS treatment covered by insurance?

PCOS is a medical diagnosis, so visits and labs can usually be billed to PPO insurance. Cash visits are $190 for new patients and $150 for returning patients.

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PCOS Treatment

Irregular periods, acne, unwanted hair, thinning hair or weight gain: PCOS care for the whole picture with Dr. Sabeen Munib, MD.

Treated by Dr. Sabeen Munib, MD15+ years caring for patients in Irvine

4.8 from 105 Google reviews Read what patients say ↓

Last updated October 2026

100+ Google reviewsDr. Sabeen Munib, MD15+ years caring for Irvine patientsMost PPO plans · $190 cash visits

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone condition in women. It can cause irregular or missed periods, acne, extra facial or body hair, thinning scalp hair and weight gain, and it raises the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

The name is misleading. You do not need cysts on your ovaries to have PCOS, and having them does not mean you have it.

Irregular periods

Cycles that are far apart, unpredictable or missing, because ovulation does not happen regularly.

Signs of higher androgens

Acne, unwanted hair on the face or body, and thinning hair on top of the scalp.

Insulin resistance

Common in PCOS, at any weight. It makes weight harder to lose and raises the risk of diabetes.

How PCOS is diagnosed

PCOS is diagnosed when two of these three are present and other causes have been ruled out: irregular or absent ovulation, signs or blood levels of high androgens, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound or a high AMH blood test in adults.

In teens, an ultrasound is not used for diagnosis within eight years of the first period, because ovaries often look polycystic at that age.

Testosterone and other androgen levels
Thyroid (TSH) and prolactin, to rule out look-alike conditions
Blood sugar (A1c or a glucose tolerance test) and cholesterol
A pregnancy test when periods have stopped

PCOS treatment options

There is no cure, but each symptom can be treated. The plan depends on what bothers you most and whether you want to become pregnant. These are the main options Dr. Munib may discuss with you.

Healthy habits first

Regular activity and even modest weight loss can make periods more regular and improve blood sugar, and they help every other treatment work.

Birth control pills

Combined birth control pills are a first choice to regulate periods and reduce acne and unwanted hair for women who are not trying to conceive.

Metformin

Used off-label in PCOS for insulin resistance, prediabetes or weight, alone or with birth control pills.

Spironolactone

May be added for unwanted hair or acne when the pill alone is not enough. It is used with reliable birth control because it is not safe in pregnancy.

Not on birth control pills? There are still options, including metformin, weight treatment, and acne and hair care chosen around your plans for pregnancy.

PCOS and weight: can a GLP-1 help?

Insulin resistance can make weight harder to lose with PCOS. For women who qualify, a brand-name GLP-1 medicine (Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound or Mounjaro) may be used for weight. These medicines are not approved to treat PCOS itself, and they are stopped before a planned pregnancy.

Zepbound and Mounjaro can make birth control pills less reliable for four weeks after starting and after each dose increase, so a backup method or a non-pill method is advised during those weeks.

PCOS acne, facial hair and hair thinning

The hormone side is treated medically at The Pur Health. Skin and hair treatments are available at our sister practice, Spectrum Skin Clinic, in the same Irvine office.

Unwanted facial hair

Medical treatment slows new growth over months. Laser hair reduction for PCOS facial hair is available at Spectrum.

Hormonal acne

Birth control pills or spironolactone treat the hormone side. Acne treatments for the skin are available at Spectrum.

Thinning scalp hair

Treated by lowering androgens and with options such as topical minoxidil. Results take several months.

Long-term health with PCOS

PCOS affects more than periods, so follow-up visits look at your overall health too.

Blood sugar checks every one to three years, depending on your risk
Cholesterol and blood pressure
Mood: anxiety and depression are more common with PCOS and worth checking
Sleep apnea symptoms such as loud snoring and daytime tiredness
Very infrequent periods can let the lining of the uterus overgrow; treatment protects it

Trying to get pregnant? Dr. Munib helps you prepare and can refer you to a fertility specialist when needed.

Cost and insurance

PCOS is a medical diagnosis, so visits and labs can usually be billed to insurance. We are in-network with most PPO plans. Cash visits are $190 for new patients and $150 for returning patients.

Your physician

Dr. Sabeen Munib, MD

MD · Residency at the University of Minnesota

Dr. Munib has cared for patients in Irvine and Orange County for more than 15 years. She focuses on preventive care, chronic disease management and whole-person wellness, and she takes the time to explain what she finds.

Speaks Urdu and Hindi; our team also speaks Arabic, Farsi and Tagalog
Sees adults and teens 12 and older

About Dr. Munib →

What our patients say

“I've been with Dr.Munib for nearly 10 years and she's been absolutely incredible. She's always available and goes out of her way to help. She's incredibly responsive and has helped me with issues that other specialists couldn't solve. It's so important to have a doctor who is always there for you and goes above and beyond to help and I found that with Dr.Munib. I can't recommend her enough! She's simply amazing.”

Mavesh Khan

“Dr. Munib is an amazing doctor. She listens to your health concerns and addresses them right away. She is very kind and takes her time to listen and explain everything. I’ve always been anxious to visit a doctor’s office, so I’m glad I found Dr. Munib because she is the best!”

Alessandra

“Dr. Munib is a wonderful doctor, always listening and giving spot-on diagnosis, she does not steer us wrong. No nonsense and to the point. My family and I truly appreciate her as a doctor.”

Elisa F

Insurance & paymentIn-network with most PPO plans. HSA and FSA accepted. Cash visits: $190 new, $150 returning.