What are the signs of PCOS?

Question

I know that having irregular period is one sign of PCOS.
Other than that women with PCOS feel anything else?
Any pain ? or any other signs?

Answer 1

Here a some I found on a website. I added it in the sources if you want to go check yourself. I don't have PCOS, but there are a lot of women on here who do. Hopefully you will get some pretty good answers.

Irregular periods - Nine or fewer menstrual cycles per year may be a sign of PCOS. Bleeding may be heavier than normal. These conditions are caused by a hormone problem, because the ovaries are not working properly and producing hormones that keep the menstrual cycle regular.

Infertility - Because women with PCOS don't have regular menstrual cycles, many are unable to get pregnant. With help, women with PCOS can get pregnant, however. A number of infertility treatments are available. (See section on Treatments.)

Hirsutism - Hirsutism means excess hair, which can be a difficult symptom for many women. For most women with PCOS, hair in the mustache and beard areas becomes heavier and darker. Masculine hair on the arms and legs and more hair growing in the pubic region, abdomen, chest or back are also possible. This symptom is caused by high levels of male hormones (androgens), as are thinning hair and acne.

Thinning hair - Just as heavier hair growth is possible, scalp hair thinning may be present. This is caused by higher levels of androgens.

Acne - Acne (pimples and oily skin) can also bother women with PCOS. The acne is usually found around the face (especially along the jaw line), chest, and back.

Weight gain - Many women with PCOS gain weight around their middles taking on an apple shape rather than a pear shape. Such weight gain is linked with problems with the proper use of glucose and insulin in the body.

Other skin problems - Skin tags, thick lumps of skin that can be as large as raisins, can form and usually are found in the armpits or neck. These can easily be removed. Darkening and thickening of the skin also can occur around the neck, groin, underarms, or skin folds. This condition, called acanthosis nigricans, is a sign of an insulin abnormality.

Depression and anxiety - Because of the nature of many of these symptoms, woman may find themselves more anxious or depressed by their appearance, or by their inability to become pregnant.

Answer 2

People with PCOS can have some or all of the following symptoms.

Irregular or absent menses
Numerous cysts on the ovaries in many, but not all, cases
High blood pressure
Acne
Elevated insulin levels, Insulin Resistance, or Diabetes
Infertility
Excess hair on the face and body
Thinning of the scalp hair (alopecia)
Weight Problems or obesity that is centered around your mid section

I have PCOS and I am pretty lucky because I do not have the excessive hair growth or obesity - though I do fight with my weight and will gain very fast if I am not careful. I also do not have the "string of pearls" cyst structure on my ovaries, though I have gotten large cysts - 3 of which have burst (not fun but you get the good pain meds!)

I also experienced pain in the abdomen. It was a chronic dull pain. I had abdominal pain daily for years.

But, there is hope. I was treated with Metformin for about 1 year and I now have a gorgeous baby boy that was born on Father's day - and there were no unusual complications with my pregnancy.

If you have PCOS - get educated. If you THINK you have it get tested. The only way to know for sure is to have your hormone levels checked, specifically your FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), LH (lutenizing hormon), Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and your blood sugar. Other tests that might be done to rule out other problems are thyroid tests. People with PCOS can exhibit only one or two of the symptoms but because of the hormone irregularities still be considered PCOS.

Check out this website: www.pcosupport.org

Answer 3

When my PCOS was first detetced I had irregular periods and pain in the lower abdomen. Follow up visit with my doctor and an ultrasound confirmed PCOS.
I think irregular periods are the first indication of anything not normal.

Answer 4

I have PCOS but I have regular periods.
My symptoms were weight gain (hard to get it off), acne, facial hair growth, skin tags, infertility, and would go into a depression fairly easy.

http://www.freewebs.com/pcos-awareness/symptomsofpcos.htm

Answer 5

I have pcos, Ireguler periods, unwanted hair, pear shape, obesity, not being able to conceive etc....

Answer 6

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