These cysts aren’t harmful, but they do lead to hormone imbalances that can cause infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne and obesity. It’s also important to get a diagnosis of PCOS early on so it doesn’t lead to long-term complications like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The Mayo Clinic and WebMD say you should look out for the following symptoms:
1. Irregular periods
This is one of the most common signs of PCOS. Some examples include periods that are on a 35-day or longer cycle, fewer than eight periods a year, long or heavy periods and a failure to menstruate for four months or longer.
2. Excess facial and body hair
You might find increased hair growth on your chin, chest, back, stomach and even toes.
3. Moodiness
You might experience depression or mood swings that seem out of character.
4. Acne
PCOS can also cause acne or very oily skin. Pimples might be very deep and painful
5. Insulin-level issues
Excess insulin interferes with the ovaries’ ability to ovulate correctly.Treatment
Treating PCOS is different for everybody. Your doctor may prescribe lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to help lose weight. Your doctor might also prescribe birth control to help regulate your period and to decrease androgen production.Each patient is different, though, so if you recognize any of the symptoms, you should talk to your doctor to get a diagnosis and learn the best way to treat your PCOS and symptoms.
