Abnormal Bleeding |
Symptom: Vaginal bleeding is considered abnormal when it is not expected, and when not on a menstrual period. Also when the menstrual flow is either lighter or heavier than what is considered normal for you.
What to do: When abnormal bleeding is present, it is recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional. |
Acanthosis Nigricans (Dark Skin Patches) |
Symptom: This is a skin pigmentation disorder that is often caused by insulin resistance or diabetes. It is characterized by dark skin in the neck, armpits, elbows or groin area. These dark patches of skin can sometimes also be found on knees, knuckles, soles of feet and palms, and may also itch.
What to do: We advise to speak to your doctor about your insulin sensitivity. You can also try lower GI foods and working with your body to keep your blood sugars level throughout the day, this can ease this symptom. |
Acne |
Symptom: PCOS often cause excess oil which can lead to acne. Acne occurs when the hair follicles become blocked with oil, dirt and dead skin. Acne will often form on the face, forehead, chest, shoulders and back.
What to do: There are lots of over the counter topical products you can use, or if it is severe enough for you, see a dermatologist for their recommendations. |
Adenomyosis |
Symptom: Adenomyosis is a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium) breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus (the myometrium). Adenomyosis can cause menstrual cramps, lower abdominal pressure, and bloating before menstrual periods and can result in heavy periods.
What to do: This is a symptom that we recommend seeing a doctor for. |
Alopecia |
Symptom: Alopecia is a type of severe hair loss, sometimes in patches on the scalp. Hair often grows back but may fall out again. Sometimes the hair loss lasts for many years. Alopecia is not contagious. It is not due to nerves. What happens is that the immune system attacks the hair follicles (structures that contain the roots of the hair), causing hair loss. This disease most often occurs in otherwise healthy people.
What to do: If you notice this symptom, seek care of your physician. |
Amenorrhea |
Symptom: Amenorrhea is absence of menstruation for extended time frames; e.g. one or more missed menstrual periods.
What to do: It is essential that the uterine lining shed, if there is no other outside factor (such as birth control, IUD or other reason for lack of cycle) If you are experiencing this symptom please see your doctor. There are some over the counter things you can try such as Ovastiol that may help regulate your cycle, however if you have had missed cycles you may need medication to help start a cycle. Please see your doctor to discuss. |
Anger |
Symptom: Mood disorders can all be caused by PCOS, which are often the result of imbalanced hormones wreaking havoc on your mental health and well being. Anger is one of the most common mood disorders seen in patients with PCOS.
What to do: If this symptom seems to interfere with your life, it may be best to speak with a professional. Working to balance hormones will help, sometimes more help is needed, which is nothing to be ashamed of! Talk therapy or medication may be needed. |
Anxiety |
Symptom: Anxiety is defined as an emotion, which would be characterized with feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. People with PCOS are nearly three times as likely to report anxiety symptoms.
What to do: When anxiety or panic attacks are interfering with your life, it is best to seek professional assistance, talk therapy or medication may be needed. There is nothing to be ashamed of in getting the help that is needed. |
Bipolar Disorder |
Symptom: Mood disorders can be caused by PCOS, which are often the result of imbalanced hormones wreaking havoc on your mental health and well being. Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression), which is associated with PCOS, as a potential side effect.
What to do: With bipolar, seek professional assistance. In a study between 2000-2012 of over 7,000 patients, it was shown that patients with PCOS had an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder compared with patients in the control group, adjusting for age, CCI score, and different treatment (1.05 vs 0.12 per 1000 person-years; hazard ratio [HR], 8.29; 95% CI, 4.65-14.7). In patients with PCOS, the use of metformin significantly reduced the risk of developing bipolar (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.16-0.81). Treatment with hormone therapy in patients with PCOS showed a lower incidence of bipolar disorder, but the risk estimate was not statistically significant (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.35-1.32). |
Bipolar II Disorder |
Symptom: Bipolar II disorder is a form of the psychiatric condition known as bipolar disorder. All forms of bipolar disorder cause unusual mood shifts and changes in energy and activity levels.
Bipolar II disorder is a form of this disorder characterized by cycles of depressive episodes followed by hypomanic periods. Hypomania is a period of mood and behavior that is elevated above normal behavior. It is not as extreme as a manic period. Symptoms of bipolar II disorder include periods of hypomania followed by depressive episodes. While it can be normal for people to experience periods of feeling upbeat followed by periods of sadness, in people with bipolar disorder, these mood changes are more extreme. People experiencing hypomania may notice a combination of the following symptoms: * An increase in energy or feeling more agitated * Feeling more upbeat or wired * Increased self-confidence * Decreased need or inability to sleep * Racing thoughts * Talking too fast or talking much more than normal * A tendency towards reckless behavior, such as spending too much, * Drinking or using drugs, or risk taking * Impaired decision making For these periods to be classified as true hypomanic episodes, they must last for at least 4 days and have at least three of the above symptoms. What to do: With bipolar II, seek professional assistance. |
Bloating |
Symptom: Bloating is when your belly feels swollen after eating. It is can be caused by excess gas production or disturbances in the movement of the muscles of the digestive system. Bloating can often cause pain, discomfort and a "stuffed" feeling. It can also make your stomach look bigger.
What to do: Watch what foods you are eating, diet has a big factor on bloat. Eat more fiber and fruits and veggies, these will help with bloat. |
Body Pain |
Symptom: While a moderate amount of pain in legs, thighs and back is common during menstruation, PCOS patients may experience more regular episodes of pains throughout the whole body. In particular, they may experience this pain in their neck, back, legs and joints. Chronic inflammation, is commonly the reason for the pain.
What to do: Taking over the counter medications can help, be cognizant of the dose and amount you take. If the pain is more severe, talk to your medical professional about the specific symptoms you are having and discuss with them methods of pain management. |
Brain Fog/Poor Memory |
Symptom: Brain fog or the inability to concentrate is another common symptom of PCOS. Imbalanced hormones coupled with insulin resistance, high blood sugar levels and chronic low grade inflammation can all affect your ability to focus and concentrate.
What to do: Be aware of your insulin/blood sugar, eat a healthy for you diet, and work with your body. If this symptom is more severe, speak with your medical professional. |
Breathlessness / Wheezing |
Symptom: This is a much lesser known/ less common symptom of PCOS. It is seen more commonly in women who may be on birth control pills. You may also notice excessive yawning, despite leading an active lifestyle. PCOS can also increase the risk of asthma, making it crucial to get an early diagnosis. In some cases, the body attacks its own organs (something called autoimmune disease). These diseases happen for unknown reasons and can increase inflammation in the body. Asthma is one such condition. These diseases can often be a symptom of hidden hormonal imbalances. Since PCOS is also caused by hormonal imbalances, some practitioners feel this may be the underlying connection.
What to do: If you are experiencing this symptom, speak with your medical professional |
Buffalo Hump |
Symptom: Excess cortisol can lead to abnormal fat deposits around shoulders and arms, sometimes referred to as a buffalo hump. While moon face and buffalo hump are typically associated more with Cushing’s disease, however, PCOS also leads to increased levels of testosterone, DHEA-S, and cortisol which can cause this side effect.
What to do: Work with your medical professional to ensure your hormones are level, this should help with this symptom. |
Chronic Headache |
Symptom: Hormonal imbalances are often a cause of Chronic Headache and Migraine, especially people that are Estrogen Dominant PCOS. Nutritional deficiencies caused by PCOS can also contribute to headaches.
What to do: Ensure you are eating nutritionally properly for you, this can help. Speak with your medical professional when you are experiencing this symptom. |
Chronic Inflammation (General Body Pains) |
Symptom: PCOS patients may experience more regular episodes of body pain. In particular, they may experience this pain in their neck, back, legs and joints. Low-grade chronic inflammation, which is commonly noticed in PCOS, is often to blame.
What to do: Work with your medical professional on the best dietary needs for your body that will help with chronic inflammation and your PCOS symptoms. Also insure that you are having your blood work and hormones checked regularly. |
Cystic Acne |
Symptom: PCOS related cystic acne is characterized by tender knots under the skin. These cysts are commonly along the more hormonal sensitive areas of the body, such as the jawline, cheeks, chin, upper neck, chest and back. These under the skin cysts are often very painful, and can be worse with hormonal changes throughout the a cycle.
What to do: Work with your doctor to ensure that your hormone levels are regulated. If needed, there are also medications you can take that help with this symptom, speak with your doctor or dermatologist. |
Dandruff |
Symptom: PCOS can cause dandruff (flaking skin on the scalp). It can also cause a more sever condition called seborrheic dermatitis, which is primarily a result of hormonal imbalances.
What to do: Ensure that you are having your hormone levels checked regularly and work with your doctor to ensure you are doing all you can to regulate and maintain regular hormone levels. There are also shampoos and over the counter products that help with this symptom. |
Dark Skin Patches (Acanthosis Nigricans) |
Symptom: This is a skin pigmentation disorder that is often caused by insulin resistance characterized by dark skin in the neck, armpits, elbows or groin area. These dark patches of skin can sometimes also be found on knees, knuckles, soles of feet and palms, and may also itch.
What to do: Work with your doctor to see if you are insulin resistant, pre-diabetic or diabetic. Getting your insulin levels under control will help with this symptom, things like low GI nutrition, maintaining hormone levels and exercise also help. |
Decreased Libido |
Symptom: There are many reasons that a decreased libido could be present; hormonal, psychological, medications, pain, etc.
What to do: Be honest with your partner about your issues and seek assistance from a medical professional to discuss your personal concerns and ways to help your intimacy with your partner and allow you to improve this part of your life. |
Depression |
Symptom: Mood disorders like anxiety, depression, panic attacks and mood swings can all be caused by PCOS. These are often the result of imbalanced hormones wreaking havoc on your mental health and well being.
What to do: Seek professional assistance with this symptom, you are not alone and should not face this symptom by yourself. Talk therapy or medication may be needed for this symptom. |
Diabetes |
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high or low. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy.
When PCOS is not maintained, there is an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes. It is estimated that MORE THAN HALF OF PCOS PATIENTS WILL DEVELOP TYPE 2 DIABETES BY AGE 40! What to do: Maintaining your PCOS symptoms, working with your doctor to watch all your hormone levels, testing your levels regularly and being vigilant. |
Disordered Eating |
Disordered eating can include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder or other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED).
Disordered eating behaviors, and in particular dieting are the most common indicators of the development of an eating disorder. Research on eating disorders among people with PCOS is rare, the prevalence of eating disorders appears to be higher with PCOS patients than people without. One study shows PCOS Patients reported an ED rate of 21%, whiles patients without PCOS was only 4%. What to do: If you suspect that you or a loved one with PCOS has disordered eating, please work with a professional to get help. |
DISCLAIMER: We are NOT doctors. everyPCOSbody, and all whom run and contribute to anything that has the everyPCOSbody name do not make any medical claims. We are expressing our opinions based on extensive research, knowledge and being highly involved within the PCOS community. As always, with any medical condition, please speak with a medical professional regarding diagnosis and any treatment or treatment changes.
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© 2021 everyPCOSbody All Rights Reserved
By JGutke Designs