Project PCOS Professional of the Month
April, 2007
Dr. Katherine D. Sherif
Katherine D. Sherif, M.D., is Director of the Drexel Center for Women's Health and Associate Professor of Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine and Co-Director of The PCOS Center. Dr. Sherif's areas of expertise include hypertension, menopause, diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome and heart disease prevention. Dr. Sherif has a special interest in international women's health issues. She was awarded a Fellowship in Medicine and Human Rights from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. She also received an award for Humanism in Medicine. Dr. Sherif was named one of Philadelphia's "Top Docs" by Philadelphia Magazine. She lectures and writes about women's health issues.
Interview with Dr. Katherine Sherif
Interviewer: Ashley Tabeling, Founder and Director of Operations - Project PCOS
Ashley : Why do so many women with PCOS go undiagnosed?
Dr. Sherif: There are two reasons why so many women with PCOS are undiagnosed for years:
- Some doctors may think that girls will "grow out" of irregular periods, not recognizing that it is not normal to have irregular periods
- Other doctors, mostly gynecologists, KNOW that a woman or girl has PCOS, but fail to mention or discuss it with their patients
Ashley: What are some of the warning signs of PCOS?
Dr. Sherif: The number one, two and three warning signs of PCOS are irregular periods, irregular periods, and irregular periods! Also: trouble conceiving.
Ashley: How is PCOS diagnosed?
Dr. Sherif: PCOS is diagnosed by taking a history, doing a physical exam, getting blood tests, and possibly getting an ultrasound. Of these 4 things, the most important is a history of irregular periods: if you tell me your periods are irregular, chances are nearly 100% that you have PCOS.
Ashley: What treatments are available for PCOS?
Dr. Sherif: PCOS is probably multifactorial, and has different causes in different women. However, in most women, the insulin levels are very high. The high insulin levels drive the ovary to produce too much testosterone. So in most women, the key is to lower the insulin levels, which in turn will lower the testosterone. The most effective ways to lower insulin are:
- exercise, both aerobic and weight-training
- avoid simple carbohydrates. Period.
- take insulin-lowering medications to help make exercise and diet more effective
Ashley: Can adding supplements help with PCOS symptoms?
Dr. Sherif: Some supplements have insulin-lowering effects, but no one knows how much they contribute to lowering the insulin. They include a very important carotene called alpha-lipoic acid, calcium, magnesium, chromium (any form, not necessarily chromium picolinate) and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil).
Ashley: Why is management of PCOS so important?
Dr. Sherif: Even if you don't want children, it is essential to treat PCOS. The high insulin and testosterone lead to high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and eventually diabetes. These are the big three conditions that lead to heart disease.
For more information about Dr. Sherif and The PCOS Center at The Drexel Center for Women's Health, please visit their website
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