The Hormonal Maze: Shedding Light on PCOS Symptoms
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a set of symptoms women face due to a hormonal disorder.
You may have increased facial hair growth, irregular periods, acne, weight gain, etc.
But not all women have the same symptoms. While you can have acne, another one may not face it.
Even the severity of these symptoms may differ in women.
Knowing all the symptoms of PCOS is crucial so that you can consult your doctor for early diagnosis and better treatment methods.
Continue reading to understand the signs and symptoms of PCOS in detail.
Irregular menstrual cycle
In PCOS, an irregular menstrual cycle is a common symptom.
Instead of experiencing regular monthly periods, you may have irregular or absent menstrual cycles.
Moreover, women who have this disorder may also experience longer cycles or prolonged periods of bleeding.
Excessive hair growth
Excessive hair growth, known as Hirsutism, is usually caused by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
You may notice dark, coarse hair growth in the following areas:
- Face
- Chest
- Back
- Abdomen
- Neck
Acne
When we talk about skin or face PCOS symptoms, acne, a common skin condition, can be noticed.
There is excess oil production in women with PCOS.
When this excess oil is combined with bacteria on the skin, it clogs the pores and results in acne breakouts.
PCOS-related acne typically appears on the following body parts:
- Face
- Chest
- Upper back
Weight gain
Among many PCOS symptoms in females, weight gain is a prevalent one.
If you have PCOS, you may notice that you sometimes have the urge to eat more, as this disorder can affect appetite regulation and promote overeating.
Many women donât know they have PCOS until they notice unusual weight gain, as it is one of the common symptoms of PCOS with regular periods.
Anxiety and Depression
You may think that Polycystic Ovary Syndrome impacts our physical health, like weight gain, irregular menstrual periods, etc., and it may be just limited to that.
But the truth is if you have PCOS, you can also have deteriorated mental health symptoms.
As PCOS symptoms, women also have high levels of Anxiety and Depression, poorer ego-resiliency, and use passive stress-coping strategies compared to healthy women.
Thinning hair
Thinning hair, or hair loss, can be a distressing PCOS symptom experienced by some women.
PCOS-related hair loss typically occurs on the scalp and may present as a widening part or overall hair thinning.
This symptom may impact self-confidence and act as a contributing factor to the symptom of Anxiety.
Difficulty getting pregnant
If you are a woman who has PCOS and trying to get pregnant, there is a high chance that you have faced difficulties.
Infertility, where a woman has problems getting pregnant, is a common symptom of PCOS.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines it as the failure to achieve a pregnancy after you have had one year (or longer) of unprotected sex.
Darkening of the skin
Darkening of the skin can be one of the unusual symptoms of PCOS.
It is formally known as Acanthosis Nigricans.
It appears as thickened, dark skin patches. These usually occur in the following body areas:
- Folds of your neck
- Armpits
- Groin (between the legs)
- Under the breasts
Skin tags
Skin tags are among the mild PCOS symptoms as they are benign in nature.
Skin tags are typically soft, flesh-colored, or slightly darker. They often appear in areas where skin rubs against skin, suchas:
- Neck
- Groin
- Armpits
- Bra line
- Back
While skin tags are harmless, their presence can be bothersome.
Cysts
Cysts are a hallmark symptom of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
This hormonal disorder gets its name from this symptom.
These cysts are small, fluid-filled sacs that develop on the ovaries.
The size and amount of cysts can vary in different women.
Takeaway
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a complex hormonal disorder that can manifest in various ways, affecting a woman’s health.
One of the common symptoms of PCOS is irregular menstrual periods.
Many women also have weight gain, acne, and excessive hair growth symptoms.
Although not always, but, still, some women can have skin tags as a result of PCOS.
Other symptoms of PCOS include anxiety, darkening of the skin, etc.
It is essential to notice these symptoms early so that this disorder can be diagnosed timely.
An early diagnosis of the symptoms allows effective PCOS treatment and enhances the quality of life.
Try Siphene, a prescription medication widely used to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
WowRx uses only high-quality sources while writing our articles. Please read our content information policy to know more about how we keep our content reliable and trustworthy.