Kensington, MD · Serving DC, Bethesda, Silver Spring & Rockville · Telehealth in 12+ states
Periods That Aren't Working — PCOS, Endometriosis & More
Irregular, heavy, or painful periods are common — but common isn't the same as "normal," and it definitely isn't something you have to white-knuckle through. We evaluate what's actually going on and build a plan with you.
Book online or call. Most new patients can be seen within a week.
What We Evaluate & Manage
We work up the cause rather than just silencing the symptom — and we're honest about what we treat here versus what we'd refer out.
Irregular & missed periods
Cycles that are unpredictable, too frequent, or have gone missing — including figuring out whether it's hormonal, thyroid, stress, perimenopause, PCOS/PMOS, or something else.
Heavy bleeding
Soaking through protection, passing large clots, or bleeding that's affecting your iron levels and your life. There are real options, medical and procedural.
Painful periods
Cramps that stop your day, pain during sex, or pelvic pain between cycles. We take it seriously and look for causes like endometriosis rather than waving it off.
PCOS / PMOS
Diagnosis, bloodwork, and long-term management of polycystic ovary syndrome — now also called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) — including periods, symptoms, and metabolic health.
Endometriosis
Evaluation, diagnosis support, and medical management of endometriosis symptoms, with referral for laparoscopic surgery when that's the right step.
PMS & PMDD
When the week before your period reliably derails your mood or function, that's treatable — not just something to tough out.
PCOS — Now Also Called PMOS
In May 2026, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was formally renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) by a global coalition of patient and professional organizations. The old name was misleading — it pointed at ovarian "cysts" when the condition is really a whole-body hormonal and metabolic one, affecting periods, skin, hair, mood, fertility, and metabolic health.
You'll see both names used interchangeably during a multi-year transition — the diagnosis, and how it's managed, haven't changed. What matters is having a provider who looks at the whole picture: cycles, androgen symptoms, bloodwork, and your long-term metabolic health, not just whether a scan shows cysts (it doesn't have to).
Management is individualized and often includes hormonal options, symptom-specific treatment, and ongoing follow-up — much of which can be done by telehealth.
How We Approach It
First visits are scheduled longer than a typical practice. We take a real history, talk through what's bothering you, and order the labs or imaging that actually answer the question — then build a plan together, including what it costs and what your insurance covers.
Some things are managed entirely here; a few — like laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis or fibroids — we'd refer to a specialist while staying involved in your care. You'll always know which is which.
Common Questions
What counts as an abnormal period?
Cycles that are consistently shorter than 21 days or longer than 35, periods that last more than 7 days, soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for several hours, bleeding between periods, or pain that keeps you from your normal day are all worth evaluating. "Heavy and painful" being common doesn't mean it's something you have to live with.
Has PCOS really been renamed to PMOS?
Yes. In May 2026, a global coalition of 56 patient and professional organizations — including the Endocrine Society — formally renamed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The old name implied the problem was ovarian cysts, when it's really a whole-body hormonal and metabolic condition. Both names will be in use during a multi-year transition, so you'll see them used interchangeably for a while — the diagnosis and how we treat it haven't changed.
How is PCOS / PMOS diagnosed?
There's no single test. We look at the pattern — irregular or absent periods, signs of elevated androgens (like acne or unwanted hair growth), and bloodwork — and rule out other causes. An ultrasound is sometimes part of it, but cysts on a scan are not required for the diagnosis. We'll explain what we're checking and why, rather than handing you a label with no plan.
Do I need surgery for endometriosis?
Not necessarily. Many people manage endometriosis with hormonal treatment, pain management, and a provider who actually tracks how you're doing. Definitive diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis can require laparoscopic surgery, which we'd refer you to a specialist for — but a lot of care happens before and around that, and that's where we come in.
Can birth control help with period problems?
Often, yes. Hormonal options — pills, the hormonal IUD, the implant, and others — can make heavy or painful periods dramatically more manageable, and they're a mainstay of PCOS/PMOS and endometriosis management. They're not the only tool, and they're not right for everyone, so we talk through what fits your goals.
Will you take my pain seriously?
Yes. Period and pelvic pain get dismissed constantly — "that's just how periods are" is not a diagnosis. We schedule real time, take a full history, and work the problem. If something needs imaging, labs, or a referral, we say so.
Let's Figure Out What's Going On
Book online — most new patients can be seen within a week. In office in Kensington or via telehealth.
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