Here are 14 signs you might have PCOS:
1. 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. Women with PCOS have high levels of androgens (testosterone is the most well-known androgen). Too many androgens slow our ovaries down, stalling ovulation. When ovulation is inhibited, the period (which comes 2 weeks after ovulation) will also arrive late and in some cases, not at all. 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.
2. 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 (pronounced HER-Soo-Tism). 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.
3. Weight Gain, Particularly Around the Stomach Area
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 causes our bodies to store fat more readily, and leptin resistance makes our brains think we are in starvation mode – messing with our hunger and fullness signals. With insulin resistance, weight is easily gained around the abdomen- and we all know that this type of fat is the riskiest when it comes to cardiovascular health.
4. Moderate to Severe Acne
Moderate to severe acne 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 has 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. Other signs that acne may be related to PCOS: it is resistant to treatment or comes back after strong acne treatments like Accutane (yet another reason not to take this harmful drug – it’s usually not a permanent fix for PCOS acne!). PCOS-related acne is commonly seen along the jawline.
5. Difficulty in Conceiving or Long Time to Conceive
Women with PCOS may have difficulty 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. Ovulation tests are often ineffective in PCOS as the LH hormone it picks up can be too high across the cycle, causing false positives. Also quite simply, there are less fertile periods yearly. 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.
6. 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 telogen phase where they soon fall out. Hair loss in women with PCOS is often seen in the frontal area, just behind the hairline. It can also be diffuse, with loss all over the head and a widening of the part. Hair loss can also be caused by other common problems as well so it’s important to investigate these, too. Thyroid dysfunction and a ferritin (stored iron) level under 80 can also cause hair loss.
7. 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.
8. 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! Acanthosis nigricans is caused by insulin resistance and can be reversed when insulin sensitivity is improved.
9. Skin Tags
Little tag-like growths of the skin can often be seen in PCOS. Skin tags are flesh-colored and small. They can appear on the neck, chest, or other areas, and are related to insulin resistance.
10. Depression and Anxiety
Women with PCOS suffer higher rates of depression and anxiety. Changes in mood are related to a variety of underlying causes including inflammation, emotional suffering due to the stressful symptoms of PCOS, and hormonal imbalances.
11. 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.
12. Fatty Liver
This is a particularly unpleasant one. Also known as Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), the insulin resistance of PCOS can cause excess food energy -particularly carbohydrate-to be deposited as fat within our livers. Fatty liver is typically reversible but if not treated, it can turn into a serious, damaging liver condition. It’s important to take steps right away to control insulin resistance if you have fatty liver.
13. 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.
14. 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 ultrasound, they will often be described as “multiple small follicles”.
It’s been estimated that 50% of women with PCOS do not know that they have it. I see women regularly who have PCOS and who have remained undiagnosed for their entire lives – sometimes for 20 years! Let’s increase awareness of this condition that affects 1 out of every 10 of us, by knowing and sharing the signs and symptoms. As PCOS is 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. Do you think you may have PCOS? Which of the symptoms do you have?
Have you been diagnosed with PCOS and using birth control to mask the symptoms?
Schedule a visit with me so we can get to the root cause!
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