All You Need to Know About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a typical for women hormonal disease. Those of us afflicted by PCOS often have sporadic period cycles, abnormal amounts of androgen hormone, and weight problems. Before you ask, scientists all over the world still ponder the causes of this disorder and for now, it remains unknown. The condition is not that uncommon (so don’t worry!) but it requires treatment or other concerns, such as diabetes, may arise. In this article, we will discuss the usual symptoms and advise you on how to treat them.

Keep in mind that symptoms of PCOS may differ, but generally you can see the signs right after your first menstruation. Occasionally, PCOS shows itself as a result of gaining a lot of weight. Two or three signs are usually enough to get a diagnosis, but for that, always consult with a professional.

• Irregular periods. 

One of the tell-tale signs of PCOS are irregularities in your menstruation cycle which may cause you to have periods that run heavily or longer than usual, or you may have no sign of periods at all for some time, resulting in only a handful of cycles yearly. 

• Excessive amounts of androgen. 

Another typical sign of PCOS is an inordinate number of androgen (what is known as “male hormone” that plays an important role during puberty and kick-starts hair growth in some areas). As a result, you may have an exuberant amount of hair and acne. But we will talk about it next. 


• Disproportionate hair growth, acne, and oily skin. 

Now, let's talk about our previous point a little more thoroughly. Obviously, acne, hair growth, and oily skin are not terribly troublesome by themselves. But in PCOS, they are a sign of a hormonal disruption (yes, yes, that androgen hormone we talked about earlier). These hormones are the reason why our skin glands produce more oils. Our faces aren’t usually fond of oils plus dead cells' combination, so they reward us with some acne. Oils are also the key reason for hair growth (it stimulates the hair follicles).

As you can see, one thing just leads to another. We understand that it may be upsetting on an aesthetic level for someone with a PCOS condition but believe us, it’s not that hard to get rid of.

The best way to resolve this issue is by seeing a dermatologist! They will advise you on antibiotics or prescribe a different kind of treatment.

• Severe period cramps. 

Even if a woman with PCOS still has her periods, it can be quite a lot more painful and bloody than usual. The best way to lighten this type of symptom is paracetamol or a hot compress. 

• Weight gain. 

Weight gain is yet another main symptom of PCOS that we are going to look into. The bodies of women with this disease cannot properly transform insulin into energy. Thusly hormones build up in the blood and… you guessed it, cause us to gain weight.

While we are on the topic of weight, let us say this. Nothing in our system happens without a reason or a cause. So if you see an increase in your weight, you should always consult your doctor before making any changes in your diet, because the problem can be much deeper than a few extra pieces of cake made you believe. Also, handling your weight can be a challenge for someone with PCOS, so don’t begrudge yourself a snack while on periods. 

If after reading this article you feel like PCOS is something that you may have, immediately consult your physician in order to treat all your symptoms accordingly and start a new life where your menstruation runs as smoothly as possible.