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Signs & Symptoms of PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a condition in which a woman's ovaries become filled with small, fluid-filled cysts. The cause of PCOS remains unknown, but women who have the condition have high levels of hormones called androgens. Researchers also believe there could be a genetic link because women with PCOS are more likely to have a sister or mother who also has the condition. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as many as 5 million women may have PCOS. Symptoms typically begin to develop after a young women first experiences her period.

  1. Irregular Menstrual Bleeding

    • The most common sign of polycystic ovary syndrome is menstrual irregularities, according to the Mayo Clinic. Abnormalities can include missed or irregular periods, longer-than-normal menstrual cycles, heavy menstrual bleeding and scant menstrual bleeding. Women with PCOS can experience eight or fewer periods a year, and in some cases may go four months or more without experiencing a period.

    Hair Growth

    • PCOS can also cause a condition called "hirsutism," which is abnormal hair growth on certain parts of the body, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hirsutism most often causes abnormal, increased hair growth on the face, back, chest, stomach, toes and thumbs. Women with PCOS can also experience male-pattern baldness and thinning hair.

    Infertility

    • Women with polycystic ovary syndrome often have difficulty becoming pregnant because of their infrequent and irregular ovulation patterns. In fact, PCOS is the leading cause of infertility in women, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

    Weight Gain

    • Some women with PCOS can experience weight gain as a symptom. In particular, it is common for women with the condition to gain wait around the waist and abdomen, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, about half the women who have PCOS are obese, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Skin Changes

    • Another sign of polycystic ovary syndrome is dark, discolored patches of skin, often on the thighs, breasts, arms and neck. The skin is often thicker than normal and brown or black in color. This type of skin discoloration is also often a sign of Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, which are more common in women with PCOS, according to the Mayo Clinic.

      Some women with PCOS also develop skin tags, commonly on the neck and in the armpits. Other skin changes that can occur in women with PCOS include acne, dandruff and oily skin.

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