PCOS is one of the most common sign of hormonal imbalance in woman , and leading cause of infertility, affecting women today. While PCOS is now considered the leading form of endocrine disruption in women of reproductive age, there’s still a lot to learn about how exactly this hormonal imbalance occurs in different women and how it can most effectively be reversed
13 Signs that You Might Have PCOS.
Irregular periods.
If your periods are irregular and in particular if they are far apart or if you skip periods altogether, you’ve got a major sign of PCOS. For women with irregular periods and PCOS, there is often irregularity right from the start of the periods in the teenage years. In some women, periods may start coming regularly and then after a few years become irregular. Women with PCOS experience irregular periods more often when they have gained weight or have experienced a lot of stress.
Hair growth on the chin, upper lip, stomach or chest.
The aforementioned androgens also cause excess hair growth in the areas of our bodies where hair is typically seen in males. This is known as hirsutism . These hairs can be coarse in texture , removal can be a challenge and a major source of stress. If you are experiencing significant hair growth in these areas, it’s important to be checked for PCOS. It’s been estimated that up to 90% of women with Hirsutism have PCOS.
Unexplained Weight gain.
Women with PCOS tend to gain weight easily and losing weight can be exceptionally challenging. This is due to insulin and leptin resistance, two of the central factors involved in PCOS. Insulin resistance messing with our hunger and fullness signals. With insulin resistance, weight is easily gained around the abdomen.
Persistent Acne.
Persistent Acne,(,Moderate to severe ) is common in women with PCOS. It all comes back to those troublesome androgens again. Androgens cause excess sebum production in the skin, resulting in clogged pores and bacterial overgrowth. If a woman have acne that started early compared to her peers as a teen, or if she has adult onset acne, it’s possible that PCOS could be the culprit.
Infertility/ Difficulty in conceiving or long time to conceive.
Women with PCOS may have difficulty in conceiving for a variety of reasons. Firstly, if a woman is not ovulating regularly, it will definitely take a longer time to conceive as the fertile window can be difficult to detect. Women with PCOS also have egg quality challenges due to inflammation and hormonal shifts within the ovaries. The good news is that women with PCOS often have an abundance of eggs so it’s often just a matter of time until pregnancy is achieved, particularly with the right treatment.
Hair loss.
Hair loss is a common problem in PCOS. The pesky androgens once again are involved in this problem. Testosterone is converted into a strong androgen, known as DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)within the scalp. DHT is the mortal enemy of your hair follicles ,it shrinks and damages them, causing hairs to enter the telogene phase where they soon fall out. Hair loss in women with PCOS is often seen at the frontal area, just behind the hairline.
Persistent Dandruff.
Oily scalp and dandruff are also commonly seen in PCOS due to elevated androgens and increased oil production. If you have persistent dandruff, and any of the other above signs, ask to be checked for PCOS.
Pigmentation in the folds of your skin.
Known as acanthosis nigricans, this is a dark, velvety discoloration of the skin. It’s most commonly seen in the crease behind the neck, under the arms, or in the creases of the thighs. Acanthosis nigricans can make your skin look “dirty” but it doesn’t wash off. No matter how hard you scrub!
Skin tags.
Little tag-like growths of the skin can often be seen in PCOS. Skin tags are flesh coloured and small. They can appear on the neck, chest or other areas, and are related to insulin resistance.
Sleep apnea.
If you haven’t been getting restful ZZs, PCOS may be involved. Many women with PCOS suffer with sleep apnea and as such do not get the restorative deep sleep that they need. Research has found that women with PCOS who are the most insulin resistant are more likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea often results in daytime sleepiness and fatigue.
Problems with breast milk production.
Women with PCOS often have differences in their breast development that can cause difficulty with breastfeeding. During puberty due to the hormonal shifts present, the breasts may not develop fully due to a lack of estrogen. In addition, androgens can interfere with prolactin secretion, reducing the output of milk. If a woman is insulin resistant, this can impair milk production as well.
Ovarian cysts.
It may be a surprise to you that I’ve placed cysts last on the list, given that the name PCOS implies that ovarian cysts are central. Emphasizing cysts can cause many women to remain undiagnosed .So although they are in fact one of the important signs they are certainly not a required factor. Important to know, the cysts in PCOS are not typical ovarian cysts but are partially developed follicles that have stalled in the process of preparing for ovulation. Younger women are more likely to have these little “cysts” whereas older women may not have them as often. On an ultrasound, they will often be described as “multiple small follicles”.
PCOS is a very complex hormonal disorder ,leading cause of infertility in women,and a lifelong metabolic condition linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, early intervention can prevent a multitude of health problems and safeguard a woman’s health for years to come. Studies has shown that women with PCOS even if they’re young and not overweight are five times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease, the leading killer of women. Therefore being treated for PCOS can safeguard your life. So it’s important to recognize PCOS symptoms, which can vary from woman to woman.
Do you think you may have PCOS? Which of the symptoms do you have?
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