10 Signs & Symptoms you may have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
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10 Symptoms That May Indicate You Have PCOS
Do you suspect you have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS?
People often ask me how to tell if you have PCOS. The best way to know for sure is with testing and a formal diagnosis from a doctor, but there are 10 signs that you can watch out for.
You may also like to read this post: What To Do After Your PCOS Diagnosis
1 - Irregular menstrual cycle
Does your menstrual cycle length vary from month to month?
Are there some months you have no period at all?
Changes to your cycle may be a red flag for PCOS.
In fact, studies suggest that up to 87% of women with irregular cycles have PCOS.
Your cycle can be thrown off due to the hormonal shifts of PCOS. High testosterone levels can impair ovulation, which also reduces your progesterone production. This becomes a vicious cycle, as progesterone is a key hormone for keeping your cycle regular.
It’s important to remember that irregular or absent periods can be caused by a number of hormonal factors, not just PCOS. But it’s often one of the first signs that something is off-balance.
2 - Heavy, painful periods
The unfortunate downside of an irregular cycle is that you’re likely to have heavy, painful periods.
This is because the uterine lining continues to build up for 40, 60, or more days, instead of the normal range of 21-35 days.
So why the painful cramps?
Firstly, your body needs to release the uterine lining, which can cause pain.
But women with PCOS can also have higher levels of prostaglandins, which are the cause of period cramps.
3 - Pelvic Pain
Are you experiencing pelvic pain, even outside of your period? This can be a sign of PCOS.
Usually, the pelvic pain experienced with PCOS is dull ache, it’s low in the abdomen. But you may also experience sudden, sharp pain if one of the cysts ruptures.
Remember if your pelvic pain is sudden and severe, it’s important to seek medical advice.
4 - Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
One of the first signs that you’re likely to notice with PCOS is slow, steady weight gain – even if nothing in your diet or lifestyle has changed.
There are a few reasons why PCOS can contribute to weight gain, and unfortunately, they all feed into one another. The best-known cause is insulin resistance, as it affects around 70% of women with PCOS.
In PCOS, you will also have higher androgens such as testosterone, which contributes to insulin resistance. Some women also experience oestrogen dominance, which causes weight gain by impairing the function of your thyroid and lowering your metabolism.
If you have PCOS, you may also have higher cortisol levels. High cortisol slows down your metabolism by reducing thyroid function, contributing to weight gain.
Prior to my diagnosis of PCOS, I experienced this slow creep of weight, even though my calorie intake was spot-on and I was training 6 days a week!
5 - Feeling constantly hungry
Do you feel hungry all the time – even if you’ve eaten a decent meal recently? If so, it might be a sign of insulin resistance and PCOS.
With insulin resistance, your body struggles to put sugar into areas such as your muscles. Instead, it has to store it away as fat. This can leave you feeling hungry, craving sugar, and even getting shaky if you don’t eat frequently! You might also notice frequent urination and increased thirst as a side effect.
6 - Excess body and facial hair
One of the most visible signs of PCOS is increased body and facial hair, or hirsutism. The hair is darker and more coarse, and tends to grow in areas that are unusual for females such as the jawline, back, and/or chest.
This thicker, darker hair – known as terminal hair – is stimulated by high levels of androgens in the body. Around 70-80 of women with PCOS will experience hirsutism.
7 - Hair loss
If excess body and facial hair wasn’t enough to deal with, hair loss is another symptom of PCOS. The excess androgen hormones can lead to what is known as androgenic alopecia, or hair loss.
Your hair can start to thin, particularly around your part line. Over time, this will radiate out across the top of the scalp. This symptom is experienced by up to 36% of women with PCOS.
8 - Acne
Find yourself breaking out constantly – even if you’re ‘past the age’ for acne? It might be a sign of a hormonal condition such as PCOS.
This is very common around the lower half of the face, from the cheekbones down to the top of the neck.
PCOS can cause breakouts due to the high level of androgens. Androgens stimulate the production of sebum or oil on the skin. Your skin can become more oily, which can turn into acne as the pores clog with excess sebum.
Acne is one of the most common symptoms seen in PCOS, with studies suggesting between 30-75% of women with PCOS experiencing acne. Hormonal acne was actually one of the first red flags for my own PCOS.
9 - Dark patches on the skin
Noticed dark, velvet-like patches on your skin? You may have acanthosis nigricans. This darkening of the skin is most common under the armpits and breasts, around the groin, and anywhere where you have a skin fold.
These develop due to underlying insulin resistance. The good news is that the discolouration itself is not harmful, but it is a sign that there is something brewing beneath the surface.
10 - Infertility
Have you been trying to fall pregnant, but it’s just not happening? Sadly, it’s estimated that 70-80% of women with PCOS will experience infertility. But it’s important to note that infertility isn’t necessarily permanent. There are steps you can take to improve your chances of falling pregnant, whether that is a current goal or a goal for the future.
Keep in mind that you won’t necessarily have all of the symptoms of PCOS. Some people will only have one or two signs, particularly if it is early on. Others will experience all of these symptoms and more.
Are you struggling with these symptoms?
Download my PCOS Action Plan here - it’s free!
✔ Get an easy meal idea sheet that you can draw ideas from to help reverse PCOS symptoms, lose fat, and start to feel in control of your own body again.
✔ Learn the best foods to always have on hand in your pantry to get the most out of your nutrition.
✔ Discover what kind of PCOS you have and how this impacts what approach you should use treat your symptoms.
✔ Stop feeling out of control with your body and learn how to manage your PCOS, for good!
Hey there, I’m Rachel!
NUTRITIONIST, PERSONAL TRAINER, WELLNESS COACH
Here I share healthy recipe ideas, training plans, and nutrition & wellness advice you need to know.
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