A 33-year-old woman with PCOS presents with irregular menstrual cycles and a six-month history of hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. She is concerned she is entering menopause. What could be the cause and next steps?
While premature ovarian failure could potentially cause these symptoms, it is more likely that they are due to the hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS rather than early menopause. However, this should be confirmed through blood tests to measure follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol levels. Depending on the results, the patient might benefit from hormonal contraception to regulate her menstrual cycle and alleviate some of the vasomotor symptoms.