PCOS is another name for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. PCOS is, in its basic definition, a problem where a woman’s hormones are out of balance. PCOS can cause not only problems with menstruation and periods, but also can cause problems with infertility and pregnancy. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here
It is a very common condition, affecting between one in ten to one in twenty females of childbearing age. Some studies say that there are approximately five million women in the USA alone who have PCOS, and symptoms can begin as young as eleven years of age.
Some women with PCOS have little or no symptoms. Other women can barely make it through the day, their symptoms are so severe. The symptoms definitely vary from patient to patient. Usually symptoms start out mild and manageable, and can become more and more severe as time goes on. Let’s talk about a few of the symptoms.
Usually the most noticeable of symptoms is problems with normal menstruation. These problems can include both irregular periods and delayed onset of menstruation. Some women have no periods at all. Others have sporadic and very heavy bleeding. This is a symptom that will be present in every woman with PCOS, it is the “telltale” symptom if you will.
Did you know that PCOS is the most common cause of infertility in women? It can be impossible to get pregnant with PCOS because you are not ovulating properly, if at all. Women with PCOS do not release an egg every month, so it is really hard for them to get pregnant.
Women with PCOS often have medical issues such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. They are also more likely to be overweight, obese, and have more trouble losing weight.
PCOS patients often experience mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. They also sometimes have problems such as sleep apnea or other sleep disturbances.
Issues with appearance are very common for PCOS sufferers. Some of the most common appearance related issues are dandruff, skin tags, and increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach or back, acne or other skin problems, thinning hair and male pattern baldness, and dark patches of skin on various parts of the body.
Some women have all of these PCOS symptoms, while others may have a few or none at all. Symptoms are something that vary from patient to patient. If you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms, you should see a doctor to be checked out. A doctor can use information such as your family history, physical and pelvic exams, blood tests and possibly even ultrasounds to determine whether or not you might have PCOS.
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