Unusual PCOS Signs Unwanted hair growth, known as hirsutism, on areas where men normally grow hair such as the face, arms, back, chest, thumbs, toes, and abdomen. Hirsutism is the result of hormonal changes in androgens. Mood changes such as mood swings, depression, and anxiety.
Irregular periods.
Having few menstrual periods or having periods that aren't regular are common signs of PCOS . So is having periods that last for many days or longer than is typical for a period. For example, you might have fewer than nine periods a year. And those periods may occur more than 35 days apart.
The “hidden” symptoms of PCOS
These, Dr Bajekal says, can include excessive daytime sleepiness, breathing problems like sleep apnoea and snoring, darkened skin behind the neck, underarms and groin, as well as psychological signs such as heightened depression and anxiety.
Ovarian cysts and PCOS are related conditions with many of the same symptoms, meaning that women often confuse the two, or wrongly believe that they have PCOS when they do not.
This includes having excess amounts of androgen hormones, like testosterone, and, in some cases, a lack of progesterone. All of this can lead to brain fog, irritability, depression, and anxiety that can be severe and debilitating. It can also lead to severe mood swings, which can cause a general feeling of instability.
Symptoms: there are no noticeable symptoms in around half of women with the condition, and there is usually no vaginal soreness or itching. Symptoms may include a greyish-white, thin and watery vaginal discharge with a strong fishy smell, especially after sex.
Like any other syndrome, PCOS can involve a variety of different symptoms. One of the more common ones is abdominal weight gain, which is often referred to as the “PCOS belly.” A PCOS belly is the result of PCOS-related weight gain and may be caused by different factors.
In inflammatory PCOS, chronic inflammation causes the ovaries to make excess testosterone, resulting in physical symptoms and issues with ovulation. Signs of inflammation in this type of PCOS include headaches, joint pain, unexplained fatigue, skin issues like eczema and bowel issues like IBS.
Many women with PCOS often complain of pelvic or abdominal pain. This pain is generally below the belly button and it is often accompanied by cramps. Pain can be moderate to severe, throbbing, dull/sharp, and can occur on one or both sides of the pelvis near the ovaries.
As previously stated, the shape of a PCOS belly differs from other types of weight gain. It often appears large and bloated but can also be small and round, depending on genetics and other factors. The PCOS belly involves the accumulation of visceral fat in the lower abdomen and typically feels firm to the touch.
Women with PCOS may notice that acne lesions are deeper, larger, and slower to resolve. Acne in PCOS usually worsens around the time of menstrual periods. Dermatologists often recommend the use of oral contraceptive pills or a medication called spironolactone to treat this type of acne.
difficulty getting pregnant (because of irregular ovulation or no ovulation) excessive hair growth (hirsutism) – usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks. weight gain. thinning hair and hair loss from the head.
It also leads to hair growth on the chest and abdomen, thickening and darkening of the skin around the neck and underarms, which is known as acanthosis nigricans. Itching and excessive dandruff is also very common.”
Body Pain. While a moderate amount of pain in legs, thighs and back is common during menstruation, PCOS patients may experience more regular episodes of body pain. In particular, they may experience this pain in their neck, back, legs and joints.
A small population of patients may develop lactic acidosis. The most common adverse effects include diarrhea, nausea, and mild weight gain. PCOS is often underdiagnosed, but with the growing trend toward the recognition of this disorder, more women are being diagnosed and treated.
Typical symptoms include irregular menstruation associated with symptoms of increased male hormone, included but not limited to problems with acne, increased facial hair growth, hair loss from the scalp, or abnormal body odor.
Although a majority of cases with PCOS are obese/overweight, a small but significant proportion of patients present with normal body mass index (BMI; ≤25 kg/M2) that makes diagnostic work up and therapeutic approach more difficult. These cases are termed as lean PCOS.
Fatigue is one of the most common complaints of women with PCOS. Normal tiredness can be relieved by sleep and rest. But excessive tiredness, also known as fatigue, can be overwhelming and seriously affect a person's quality of life. Fatigue is also a common symptom of many other disorders.
It is possible to lose weight with PCOS using evidence-based methods like targeted dietary changes, appropriate exercise, supplements, and more. It may take longer than for someone without a hormonal imbalance, but persistence and long-term lifestyle changes pay off.
Physical Exam
Your doctor may check your blood pressure, BMI (body mass index), and waist size. They may also look at your skin to check for extra hair growth, acne, and discolored skin, which can all happen if you have PCOS.
In examining women with PCOS, it was found that 16% of them have major depression and 2% have bipolar disorder. Depression and anxiety are more prevalent in women with PCOS than in the general population.