Irregular periods, oily skin, hirsutism, weight gain? – These are just some of the signs that you may have polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common health problem caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones. This condition has many symptoms, and you may not experience all of them. This is why many women only discover they have PCOS when they are trying to have a baby.
Some of the symptoms of PCOS include:
Irregular periods
You may have irregular periods or you might have very heavy bleeding during your period. Some women with PCOS stop having periods completely.
Excess hair
You may notice excess hair growing in areas such as on your face, breasts, stomach, or toes.
Weight problems
Women with PCOS often struggle with weight gain or experience difficulty when trying to lose weight.
Oily skin
Because of hormone changes related to PCOS, you might develop oily skin and acne. Although acne is common in adolescence, young women with PCOS will notice more severe acne.
Skin conditions
Some women with this condition notice a darkening of the skin, particularly around the neck and groin area and underneath the breasts. Skin tags are also a common symptom of PCOS
Hair loss
Women with PCOS may experience thinning hair on top of the scalp or a receding frontal hair line.
Sleep problems
Women with PCOS are prone to developing sleep disorders and often experience extreme tiredness and fatigue.
Headaches
The hormonal impact of PCOS can cause frequent headaches.
Reduced fertility
PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility. This is because PCOS can cause ovulation to become irregular or stop completely. This means that women with PCOS often find it harder to conceive naturally.
