PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that affects many women all around the globe and sometimes it slips under the radar undetected. Generally, women with PCOS experience acne and facial hair on the chin and lip, sideburns, and irregular periods.
This mainly happens because of hormone imbalance. PCOS can also cause cyst formation on the ovaries (this is not a general phenomenon, but it happens quite often).
The produced cysts do not cause harm, but they cause hormone imbalances that often lead to prolonged or infrequent menstrual periods, obesity, and excess hair growth. PCOS does, in fact, have long-term complications such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, that is why it is important to get an early diagnosis.
The main PCOS causes:
Until this day, doctors are not yet sure of what causes PCOS, but there are some theories about some risk factors.
- Low-grade inflammation: Some studies have shown that women who have PCOS have low-grade inflammation as well, and that causes polycystic ovaries to produce androgens.
- Heredity: Sometimes the causes can be purely related to your genes because PCOS can be possibly passed down to you from early generations. If your mom or sister has PCOS, then you might end up having it as well.
- Excess insulin: Having too much insulin can increase the production of androgen (aka male hormones) which can affect the ovaries and interfere with their ability to ovulate correctly.
Symptoms
Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS’s sings and symptoms can start manifesting themselves right after the beginning of the woman’s menstrual period (It can also be developed during the later reproductive years). You should keep in mind that there are a lot of symptoms to keep an eye on and they can also change from a person to another (the symptoms can get worse with obesity). Without further ado, here are 5 symptoms to keep an eye on.
1. Irregular periods
By far, this is one of the most common PCOS symptoms. Periods that are on a 35-day or longer cycle, heavy periods, fewer than eight periods a year, long periods, failing to menstruate for 4 months or more than 4 months.
2. Excess facial and body hair
Having increased hair growth on the toes, back, chin, stomach, and chest is a clear symptom of PCOS.
3. Moodiness
PCOS can cause mood swings and depression that can be unusual and out of character.
CLICK NEXT PAGE BELOW TO CONTINUE READING …
