As a woman, there’s a lot you have to deal with when it comes to managing your health. Fixing oily skin, fighting acne, settling stray hairs, and struggling will weight gain might all seem like part of routine life, but they can be a symptom of something more. All these symptoms are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS.
The signs of PCOS often go unnoticed because they do not pose any health risk which requires immediate attention. Many women are not aware of PCOS until they try to get pregnant. This condition is known to cause problems in pregnancy and make it difficult to conceive. The first step towards getting pregnant with PCOS is to be aware of the signs of the condition so you can seek consultation in time.
In this article, we will discuss the most common signs of PCOS that you must be aware of.
Irregular periods
The foremost warning sign that you should be mindful of is irregular periods. While there can be several reasons for menstrual irregularity, PCOS can also be a reason. A normal menstrual cycle is typically 24 days; however, it can vary between 24 to 38 days, still considered regular.
However, if your periods are changing every month, delayed, or arriving early, it is a sign of menstrual irregularity and requires attention. In women with PCOS, irregular periods can be caused due to lack of progesterone. It is also more likely to affect women who are over or underweight. This is why it is recommended to maintain a healthy body weight.
Hirsutism or excess hair growth at unexpected spots
PCOS is purely a hormonal condition that is caused due to high levels of androgens or male hormones. This is why women suffering from PCOS can experience excess hair growth in unwanted places such as the face, arms, chest, back, thumbs, and abdomen. It is one of the signs of PCOS that you must pay close attention to.
However, certain ethnicities may be predisposed to more bodily hair, so you must discuss the symptoms with your healthcare provider before concluding. Metabolism issues are also associated with hirsutism in women with PCOS. While these signs can be uncomfortable, PCOS treatment is available that can relieve these symptoms.
Obesity
Another common sign of PCOS in women is increased body weight. It is found that more than 50% of the women suffering from the condition experience weight gain or are obese. But PCOS is also found in thin women, so you should not ignore the signs even if you are slim. A common misconception is that all women who have PCOS are overweight. It’s a misnomer that often neglects the correct diagnosis. If you have unexplained weight gain, then you should not rule out PCOS as a cause. Please do not assume that only obese women can suffer from PCOS; it can affect anyone. That being said, controlling weight can effectively reduce the risk of PCOS and have a healthy pregnancy.
Mood disorders
Around 25% of women who suffer from PCOS experience some form of mood disorder, such as anxiety and depression. In a clinical study, it was found that PCOS can increase the chances of depression and anxiety by three times. It is why women suffering from the condition often suffer from poor body image, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
According to researchers, most body image disorders caused due to PCOS are associated with the distress caused due to body changes resulting from the condition. This is why your PCOS treatment can involve psychological evaluation to treat you effectively.
Sleep troubles
Tiredness and fatigue are also common among PCOS patients. Troubled sleeping patterns are signs of PCOS that you should check. Women with PCOS are more like to suffer from sleep apnea, a condition that causes brief pauses in breathing during sleep. This can result in disturbed sleep, causing tiredness during the day. The sleep issues caused by PCOS can cause insomnia and further exacerbate mood swings. It can also contribute to anxiety and depression associated with poor sleep.
Treatment for PCOS
For most women, PCOS appears around puberty but can also occur during the late twenties. The signs of PCOS might be mild and get unnoticed, so many women are unaware until they try conceiving.
Getting pregnant with PCOS is possible, and we help you with that at Athena Women’s Clinic. We conduct fertility tests for women to determine the condition and plan the right strategy to treat PCOS. If you are facing problems during pregnancy due to PCOS, you should consult your doctor about the possible solutions and seek the proper treatment.
And if you have any queries regarding PCOS treatment, you can consult our experts, who will provide the required guidance.
