Brief Answer:
Typically you ovulate 2 weeks before your period begins

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.

Contrary to what many people think, the part of a woman's menstrual cycle that is relatively constant is the time between when ovulation takes place and the beginning of menses. It generally takes two weeks from ovulation (if a woman does ovulate) until menstruation.

So if you have a 34 day cycle, you should be ovulating on or close to day 20.

However, some women who have long cycles do not ovulate at all. Usually, in this situation, the bleeding is bright red, heavy and irregular.

So if you are trying to conceive, you should concentrate your efforts from day 15-25 of your cycle, as sperm can live in the genital tract for up to 5 days.

I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today and that my advice was helpful. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes,

Dr. Brown

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Brief Answer:
Unfortunately there are no over the counter products to prevent hair growth.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, and I apologize for the delayed reply.

Unfortunately, there are no medications that you can get over-the-counter that will reduce facial hair growth in women. There are anti-androgen drug called Spirinolactone that an endocrinologist can prescribe that can be effective, but over the counter products can only remove hair. There are many depilatories and similar products available, and there is a topical product called Vaniqa that can gradually reduce hair growth.

I hope this information was helpful and again I apologize for the delayed reply.

Regards,

Dr. Brown

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Brief Answer:
There is not one hormone you are missing that causes PCOS

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

No one knows what causes PCOS, but it is a complicated combination of hormone irregularities that cause irregular periods, weight difficulties, and in some women excessive hair growth.

Most women with PCOS do not ovulate regularly. When you don't ovulate, the estrogen in your body remains high and the leftover estrogen is converted into testosterone, which causes the excessive hair growth. In addition, when you don't ovulate, your body does not produce progesterone, which is the hormone that stabilizes the uterine lining in the second half of your menstrual cycle. This is why many women are treated with progesterone to make them menstruate.

So in summary, PCOS is not caused by a deficiency of any one hormone. It is a combination of hormonal irregularities that are also associated with some diseases like adult onset diabetes and high cholesterol. It is best managed in the care of an endocrinologist who can recommmed medications to treat your symptoms.

Best wishes,

Dr. Brown

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