women s health issues
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome typically develop during puberty and worsen with time. Symptoms vary from woman to woman. Sometimes in girls with polycystic ovary syndrome, menstrual periods do not start at puberty, and the ovaries do not release an egg (that is, women do not ovulate) or release an egg irregularly. Women or girls who have already started menstruation may have irregular vaginal bleeding or menstrual periods may stop. Women may also develop symptoms related to the high levels of male hormones—called masculinization or virilization. Common symptoms include acne and an increase in body hair (hirsutism). Rarely, changes include a deepened voice, a decrease in breast size, an increase in muscle size, hair growth in a male pattern (for example, on the chest and face), and thinning of hair or baldness. Many women with polycystic ovary syndrome have excess body weight, but some are thin. Producing too muchinsulincontributes to weight gain and makes losing weight difficult. Excessinsulindue toinsulinresistance may also cause skin in the armpits, on the nape of the neck, and in skinfolds to become dark and thick (a disorder called acanthosis nigricans). Other symptoms may include fatigue, low energy, sleep-related problems (including sleep apnea), mood swings, depression, anxiety, and headaches. If women develop Metabolic Syndrome , fat may accumulate in the abdomen. 