Most Common Signs & Symptoms of PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal endocrine disorder common to women of adult age, particularly those with ovaries. It can produce a number of clinical manifestations that may affect a female's functioning and may indicate confusion and frustration to the affected patients. It is important to know some of PCOS symptoms to be able to start the treatment on time.
The PCOS symptoms can be different in each woman, but most of them face several problems of PCOS, the vital aspect that influences the physical, mental, and reproductive health of a woman.
In this article, we will discuss some of the common symptoms and signs of PCOS. Using these concepts, we will help you understand the symptoms and early intervention in case you are experiencing them.
Here are Some PCOS Symptoms
Signs of PCOS can include anything from having an irregular cycle all the way to more obvious features like hirsutism and acne. It is, therefore, very important to recognise the early PCOS symptoms so that anybody who has any of the symptoms can seek medical help through the appropriate channel, which can be through changing their lifestyles, medication, and homeopathy among others.
Irregular or No Periods
Some of the most common signs of PCOS include having very light or no periods at all. Irregular menstrual cycles with periods that may be late, missed or excessively heavy are very common in women with PCOS.
Some women may experience the absence of menstrual periods during their reproductive years, a condition known as amenorrhea. Abnormal menstrual cycle and breakthrough bleeding happen due to hormonal disturbances, especially high androgen products which disrupt the normal cycle of ovulation.
- These women can also have aberrations such as anovulation where there is no release of the egg hence, the chances of conceiving are limited.
- The hormonal balance results in regular or irregular periods and sometimes the lack of it indicates that ovulation is not normal.
Lifestyle changes, medication, and in some circumstances, homeopathy also play a role in dealing with irregular periods and getting back to normal hormonal balance for regular periods.
Excess Hair
Another familiar sign of PCOS includes the condition referred to as hirsutism which is the growing of hair beyond normal limits. It commonly occurs in places such as the face, chest, abdomen, as well as the back. This symptom is associated with increased androgen levels in the system, which causes male-pattern hair growth.
- According to a study, hair problems are found in 70% of women with PCOS, and hirsutism is one of the primary ways it affects the confidence of women with the disease.
- This PCOS symptom and treatment mostly entails waxing, shaving, or better going for professional techniques such as laser surgery, among others. Also, the strategies for dealing with PCOS and the disease's characteristics involve using drugs that ease androgen levels or hormone-balanced medicines, as well as homeopathic alternatives.
Hair Loss
Aside from hirsutism, that is facial and body hairs, many women with polycystic ovaries symptoms also complain of baldness or thinning hair. This condition is also called female pattern baldness and it most commonly occurs at the crown of the scalp. Elevated androgen levels, owing to the hormonal disturbances in PCOS, can make hair follicles minimise, and therefore hair may either thin or fall off.
- It can begin as early as 20 years of age, but it may begin early or relatively later.
- Similarly, hair loss can also influence an individual's emotional state; however, homeopathic treatment and other modifications can solve this problem.
Skin Conditions
While many of the PCOS symptoms appear to affect the inside of women, those with the condition are prone to skin problems like acne, oily skin, and hyperpigmentation on the neck, groin, and underarm areas. High levels of androgens cause excessive production of sebum, an oily substance that clogs the pores and may cause pimples.
- Skin tags usually develop in the neck, armpits, or the folds of skin, while skin disorders such as acne affect the face, chest, or back and are normally harder forms of acne.
- Other skin changes that may occur include acanthosis nigricans or appear as dark skin covers or patches, especially in the neck and armpit skin folds.
- These polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms can be managed through skincare regimens, medications, and homeopathic treatments tailored to balance hormone levels.
Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Some of the physical signs of PCOS are associated with or cause stress, anxiety, and depression, which include irregular menstrual cycles and excessive hair and skin problems. Stress arises, firstly due to changes that occur in the body and secondly due to the battle of living a life full of difficulties in controlling the chronic disease.
- According to a study, females with PCOS have heightened emotions of anxiety and depression, while females with severe anxiety and depression can worsen or be worsened by PCOS.
- Stress management is very important with regard to PCOS. Finding someone to talk to, making changes to include stress-decreasing activities, and exploring other potent homeopathic remedies are all methods that will end up enhancing health both in the body and mind.
Weight Gain or Obesity, Usually with Extra Weight Around the Waist
A large number of women suffer from PCOS symptoms and it affects their weight in most cases contributing to the development of abdominal obesity. This is because of insulin resistance; a PCOS complication where the body does not properly metabolise insulin hence leading to fat deposition.
- Being overweight is an additional PCOS characteristic that can cause other symptoms aggravation and lead to infertility or diabetes.
- Lifestyle modifications are important in weight control as overweight individuals and those with PCOS benefit from a balanced diet and exercise. Other natural therapies that can help in regulating weight loss through homeopathy are also doable.
Pelvic Pain
Another early sign of PCOS is pain in the pelvic region, which may be mild or agony. Such pain may be associated with cysts on the ovaries, inflammation or hormonal changes that occur in the body.
- While some women having PCOS symptoms would feel pain during ovulation or menstruation, others would have chronic pelvic pain.
- Any chronic pain in the pelvic area should be discussed with a medical practitioner in order to eliminate any other diseases.
Acne, Oily Skin, or Dandruff
Another sign of polycystic ovaries is that one has acne in the facial area, especially on the chin, jaw and upper back. Testosterone, a type of androgen, causes the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, a substance that is released onto the skin's surface and which can block pores and create spots.
- Oily skin and dandruff are also common skin issues related to hormonal imbalances in PCOS.
- Managing acne typically involves a combination of skincare treatments, oral medications, and in some cases, homeopathic remedies for clearer skin.
Sleep Apnea
There are also disorders such as sleep apnea, where breathing is temporarily interrupted during sleep, more frequently occurring in women with PCOS. It is common with obesity and insulin resistance that alter the pattern of breathing during sleep.
- Apnoea can also cause frequent daytime drowsiness, change in mood and general debility.
- Treatment of sleep apnea includes lifestyle changes such as weight loss, improved sleep patterns and at times the use of CPAP devices with PCOS symptoms and management concentrating more on hormonal balance and optimisation of metabolism.
Cysts on the Ovaries (Immature Eggs)
This is another polycystic ovaries symptom which includes the formation of cysts on the ovaries. They are in fact small cysts derived from immature eggs that have never been released from the ovaries during a woman's cycle. In doing so, they aggregate and may become grossly enlarged, a condition manifested by swollen ovaries.
- While these cysts are normally benign they do impede the process of ovulation and are usually associated with other PCOS symptoms such as abnormal menstrual cycle.
- Some of the PCOD problem symptoms are these cysts, which can be found easily during a normal ultrasound test.
Infertility
Ironically, infertility ranks among the most prevalent known signs of PCOS. Infertility is as well attributed to PCOS results from hormonal imbalance which means women with it do not ovulate as frequently as they are supposed to. The ovaries may not function properly and, therefore, may not release eggs to be fertilised, owing to failed ovulation.
- This is one of the main PCOS symptoms because women with PCOS rarely ovulate or do so irregularly.
- Oftentimes, PCOS treatment for infertility includes medications that help women ovulate, but certain homeopathic remedies can also cure hormonal imbalances.
Consult a PCOS Expert Now
If you have PCOS symptoms that include missing periods, excessive hair on the face and body, acne, and depression it is helpful to seek a consultation with a specialist in PCOS. There are a few differences that can be made when diagnosed early as regards PCOS and its symptoms as well as its treatment.
- A PCOS consultant should be consulted for diagnosis and advice on the correct treatment plan that may include diet, drugs, and other natural treatments like homeopathy.
- Looking at the PCOS symptoms, Dr Batra's® provides consultation and customised treatment to sufferers. As an important branch of naturopathic treatment, homeopathy focuses on the hormonal issue that causes polycystic ovaries symptoms and supports the hormonal balance to increase the patient's well-being.
Why Dr Batra's® Clinic
Dr Batra's® Clinic is so famous for homeopathy and its effectiveness in severe conditions like PCOS. Personalised care makes it possible to provide treatment that touches on the cause of the PCOS symptoms rather than just the symptoms themselves. In particular, homeopathy has expressed efficacy in treating endocrinal disorders, irregular menstrual cycles, loss of hair, etc.
The professionals at Dr Batra's® know how to address the concerns and conditions related to PCOS and will help you towards better health management.