PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) looks different for everyone but often involves irregular periods, excess hair growth (hirsutism), acne, weight gain (especially belly fat), thinning scalp hair, and dark skin patches (acanthosis nigricans), with internal signs including enlarged ovaries with tiny cysts (follicles) on ultrasound. These visible and internal signs stem from hormonal imbalances, particularly high androgens, affecting cycles, skin, hair, and fertility.
Common symptoms of PCOS include:
To know if you have PCOS, look for at least two of these: irregular periods, signs of high androgens (excess hair, acne, hair loss), or polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound, but a doctor's diagnosis is crucial, involving tests to rule out other conditions like thyroid issues, blood sugar problems, and checking hormone levels.
Some women struggle with the physical symptoms of PCOS, such as weight gain, hair growth, and acne. Cosmetic treatments, such as electrolysis and laser hair removal, may help you feel better about your appearance. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best ways to treat the symptoms that bother you.
Women with PCOS may also experience a dry, itchy scalp and dandruff.
Here are some tips for hair care when suffering with PCOS-related hair loss. Washing hair: Wash your hair 2-3 times a week with an anti-hair fall shampoo and strengthening conditioner. If you work out, rinse your hair with plain water after that.
PCOS acne is usually driven by elevated androgens and insulin resistance, so it often shows up deep, cystic, and stubborn, clustering around the lower face and jawline and resisting basic routines; regular acne can be triggered by many factors (genetics, skincare, stress, occlusive cosmetics) and may respond better to ...
The most common signs and symptoms of PCOS include: Irregular periods: Abnormal menstruation involves missing periods or not having a period at all. It may also involve heavy bleeding during periods.
If you leave PCOS untreated, the syndrome's symptoms will not only worsen, but you may put yourself at greater risk of developing serious conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and endometrial cancer. PCOS itself is not life-threatening, but it can lead to life-threatening complications.
“A PCOS belly is typically a round midsection that's firm, not soft or fluffy,” Dr. Thigpen describes. “This is due to carrying more fat around the internal organs (visceral fat).”
Know Your Body: PCOS Quiz for Early Detection and Awareness
This self-assessment tool provides a quick and easy way to identify common signs of PCOS, including irregular periods, weight gain, acne, and more. 1. Do you experience irregular periods or have fewer than 8 periods per year?
A medicine called clomifene may be the first treatment recommended for women with PCOS who are trying to get pregnant. Clomifene encourages the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation). If clomifene is unsuccessful in encouraging ovulation, another medicine called metformin may be recommended.
The good news is, women with PCOS produce a high number of healthy eggs. But, as with all women, with age comes a decrease in egg quality and quantity. Therefore, like all women, timing of building a family is important and delay in time to pregnancy because of PCOS can interfere with future family plans.
To receive a diagnosis of PCOS, you must meet two of the following criteria:
A PCOS flare-up feels like a worsening of your usual symptoms, with more intense cystic acne (jawline, chin), increased facial/body hair (hirsutism), heavier shedding or thinning hair, significant fatigue, worsened mood swings, and more irregular or heavy periods, often triggered by stress, poor sleep, or diet, making symptoms harder to manage temporarily.
For PCOS, you should avoid foods that increase inflammation and insulin resistance, such as sugary drinks, refined carbs (white bread, pasta, pastries), processed meats (hot dogs, bacon, sausage), fried foods, excessive red meat, trans fats (margarine, shortening, fast food), and highly processed snacks, as well as limiting alcohol and added sugars to help manage symptoms like weight gain and insulin resistance.
The exact reason why these hormonal changes occur is not known. It's been suggested that the problem may start in the ovary itself, in other glands that produce these hormones, or in the part of the brain that controls their production. The changes may also be caused by the resistance to insulin.
Women with PCOS appear to be at increased risk for developing cancer of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) later in life. From your teens through menopause, all women experience a monthly buildup of the endometrial lining in the uterus, as the body prepares itself for the potential of a fertilized egg.
Symptoms
Exhaustion That Doesn't Go Away
Many people with PCOS describe a constant fatigue that does not improve with rest. Even after a full night of sleep, energy levels remain low and concentration can feel difficult.
Treatment. There is no cure for PCOS, but treatments can improve symptoms. People who have irregular periods, trouble getting pregnant or excessive acne and hair growth should speak to a healthcare professional. Some symptoms of PCOS can be reduced through lifestyle changes.
A reduced GH, increased LEAP-2 levels, high LH basal, increased LH/FSH ratio, high androgens, and low estrogen are demonstrated in PCOS and linked to infertility.
Skincare Basics for PCOS-Prone Skin
Key ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide, and retinoids can help manage acne, reduce excess oil, and improve skin texture.
Facial hair growth (hirsutism)
Those same extra androgens responsible for oily skin also stimulate unwanted hair growth on the face (think upper lip, chin, and jaw) in people with PCOS. This condition is called hirsutism and is associated with PCOS in about 75% of cases.
Exercise has also been found to positively affect ovarian function in individuals with PCOS. These improvements are linked to reduced hormonal imbalances and improvements in lean muscle mass and/or body fat, resulting in increased ovulation rates and regular menstrual cycles.