PCOS can cause skin tags, which are thick lumps of skin that can grow in your armpits, on your neck or along your bra line. You might also develop rough, dark, velvety patches of skin in your armpits or on your neck. Learn more about how to treat and manage hair and skin conditions.
While all women make a little bit of testosterone, women with PCOS make too much. Acne and unwanted hair may result from too much testosterone. Dark patches of skin may develop from high insulin levels associated with extra weight gain.
PCOS can lead to acne because it causes the ovaries to produce more hormones called androgens, which stimulate the production of oil in the skin. Someone with PCOS may have acne on their face, back, neck, and chest.
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.
Common signs and symptoms of PCOS include:
Acne. Oily skin and hair. Excess hair growth on the face and body. Hair thinning or loss on the head.
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.
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.
But, that doesn't mean that you have to quit your hopes of having a flat stomach, you can still lose your belly fat when you have PCOS. All you need to do is maintain a healthy lifestyle routine & proper dietary pattern.
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.
Often, the skin can be a window to what is occurring inside your body. For women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, this this may mean acne, hair loss, excessive facial or body hair growth, dark patches on the skin, or any combination of these issues.
But even when fertility is not a concern, some of the other symptoms of PCOS may be. Unwanted facial hair growth is one of the side effects of PCOS that catch many women off guard and cause self-esteem issues that may lead to depression.
Summary. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal condition. PCOS can be associated with problems such as irregular menstrual cycles, excessive facial and body hair growth, acne, obesity, reduced fertility and increased risk of diabetes.
Women with PCOS have higher levels of male hormones and many tend to be overweight or obese. Lots of women with PCOS have excess body hair, acne, irregular periods, and weight gain specifically in the abdomen. Instead of the traditional female pear shape, those with PCOS tend to have an apple shape.
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but it often runs in families. It's related to abnormal hormone levels in the body, including high levels of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls sugar levels in the body.
Medications typically used for acne may be helpful for people with PCOS, particularly in combination with PCOS treatments. Benzoyl peroxide: Found in products such as Clearasil, Stridex, and PanOxyl, it targets surface bacteria.
blood tests to check your hormones (such as testosterone), cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood. an ultrasound scan to look at your ovaries and check for the presence of multiple cysts (fluid-filled sacs)
Experts estimate that 5 to 10 percent of women ages 18 to 44 have PCOS. The syndrome is usually detected in women between ages 20 and 30, but the earliest signs can be evident in younger girls including those who have not yet started menstruation.
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.
Myth #2: If You Lose Weight, You Can Get Rid of PCOS
Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS, but overweight and obese women can help balance their hormone levels by losing weight. Otherwise, treatment is aimed at managing symptoms. A wide range of treatment options can help prevent any potential problems.
Losing weight is challenging with PCOS, but not impossible. It may take you longer to lose weight than someone without hormonal imbalances. While slow progress can feel discouraging, a healthy lifestyle has benefits you may not notice right away.
PCOS can be difficult to diagnose because some of its symptoms have a variety of potential causes. For example, heavy menstrual bleeding could be caused by a range of conditions, such as uterine fibroids, polyps, bleeding disorders, certain medications, or pelvic inflammatory disease, in addition to PCOS.
Other tests looking for complication of PCOS may also be done, such as glucose tolerance test or a mental health screening survey. Other disorders that mimic the clinical features of PCOS should be excluded: thyroid disease, high prolactin levels, and non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Clinical manifestations of PCO include menstrual irregularities, signs of androgen excess, obesity, and sometimes hirsutism.