Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Symptoms
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), also called polycystic ovarian disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, polycystic ovary disease, and Stein-Leventhal syndrome
is a health problem that can affect a womans menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome have these characteristics:
- high levels of male hormones, also called androgens
- an irregular or no menstrual cycle
- may or may not have many small cysts in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is the most common hormonal reproductive problem in women of childbearing age.
Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
These are some of the symptoms of PCOS:
- infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
- infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating
- increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
- acne, oily skin, or dandruff
- pelvic pain
- weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
- type 2 diabetes
- high cholesterol
- high blood pressure
- male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
- patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
- skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
- sleep apnea, excessive snoring and breathing stops at times while asleep
Researchers are looking at how male hormone levels change as women with PCOS grow older. They think that as women reach menopause, ovarian function changes and the menstrual cycle may become more normal. But even with falling male hormone levels, excessive hair growth continues, and male pattern baldness or thinning hair gets worse after menopause.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Symptoms
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