Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects millions of women.
This imbalance of hormones affects the ovaries and it often causes cysts to grow on them along with other symptoms.
The exact cause of this condition isn’t known. Some suggest that it is hereditary and other signs show that it’s connected to one’s lifestyle.
Although many girls and women of childbearing age have managed to get a confirmed diagnosis, it’s still something that others aren’t fully aware of.
Some women notice some unusual body changes but never really understand that the underlying cause could actually be PCOS.
Here are common symptoms that are connected to this condition that may require a medical checkup ASAP:
1. Irregular periods
Your period can communicate what is going on internally. Every month, you expect them to show up consistently so when something is off, it’s unusual.
PCOS can trigger an imbalance of male hormones in your body. This means your period can show up but very irregularly and it can cause your flow to be very light or very heavy as well.
2. Unusual hair growth
Even though we are all different, there are still certain spots where we expect hair to grow. These include the head, armpits, legs and arms.
For PCOS patients, however, excess hair grows in unwanted places like the face, chest, back and thighs which is something that’s commonly seen in men. But because of the hormonal imbalance, women get this excess hair growth in those areas, which is known as hirsutism.
3. Hair loss and thinning
PCOS can cause hirsutism but it can also cause the hair on your scalp to thin out. The main characteristic that can indicate the presence of this hormonal imbalance is male-pattern hair loss.
This means that you will experience baldness and thinning on areas that men tend to experience like the top of your head. The hormonal imbalances cause this to happen and even though it doesn’t necessarily cause male-pattern baldness, it can still make your hair fragile and in certain cases even fall out.
4. Fertility challenges
Fertility problems can come as a result of different conditions including PCOS. In fact, many women who have experienced infertility actually test positive for this condition, which means this is one of the major causes.
This is also linked to the excess male hormones that prevent ovulation. It can cause complete infertility or make it hard for you to conceive.
5. Acne
Not everyone who has acne or oily skin has this condition. However, many people who are dealing with it often experience acne.
The type of acne that comes with PCOS is very persistent which makes it tough to get rid of. It might not respond to common treatments that are usually offered and that is usually because of hormonal fluctuations.
Aside from acne, PCOS can also cause dark skin patches on areas like the back of your neck and skin tags as well.
