Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRare SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in PCOS GuideGetting a PCOS Diagnosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Rare Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in PCOS Guide
Knowing the most common symptoms of PCOS can help you determine when to see a healthcare provider and why it may be worth seeking a second opinion.
2:07Click Play to Learn About the Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
2:07
Click Play to Learn About the Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Irregular, Absent, or Heavy Menstrual Cycles
Typically, people with PCOS will have higher levels of male hormones called androgens. This can cause symptoms directly, but it can also throw off the ratio of female sex hormones, like the ones that control your menstrual cycle.
Weight Gain
Gradual or rapid weight gain (5 to 30 pounds in a few months) with no obvious cause can indicate PCOS, as well as not being able to lose weight despitedietand exercise.
Compared to women without PCOS, women with the condition tend to experience higher levels of insulin. Insulin is a growth hormone that promotes weight gain, especially in the central part of the body or abdominal region. It also makes losing weight difficult and increases your risk ofmetabolic conditions.In fact, over half of women with PCOS are obese.
Having high insulin levels can also contribute to increasedcravingsand low blood sugar.
Types of Drugs Used to Treat PCOS
Acne and Skin Problems
Acne may be one of the earliest signs of PCOS in adolescence.People with PCOS may experience acne on their face, back, or chest well into their adult years.
Skintags or dark patches (calledacanthosis nigricans) that look dirty but never come off when you scrub them are signs ofhigh insulinassociated with PCOS.
Excess Hair Growth
Hirsutism, a term for excess hair growth in women, is common with the condition. This is another effect of higher androgen levels, such as testosterone.
Typically, there is increased hair growth in the central part of the body (chest, face, back, lower abdomen, fingers, toes, and around the areola). Some women may experience little to no hair growth at all in these areas, while some women may have much more dense growth.
Hair Loss or Thinning
High levels of androgens can also cause thinning ormale-pattern baldnessin women.While it’s normal to lose some hair every day, it’s not normal to see a recessed hairline or bald patches.
These less common symptoms may also be associated with PCOS:
Complications/Sub-Group Indications
PCOS has several complications that are frequently linked to the condition.
Fertility Issues
People with PCOS also have a higherchance of miscarriage.
How Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Is Treated
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can contribute to insulin resistance and high blood pressure, as well as fatigue. About 20% of women with PCOS develop sleep apnea.
Mood Disorders
Mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar depression are higher in women with PCOS. It is unknown whether this is because of the hormone imbalance seen in PCOS or due to the difficulty of living with this often frustrating and complex condition.
Metabolic Syndrome
The hormonal effects of PCOS leave you more vulnerable to metabolic syndrome, which includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol levels, and excess body fat around your waist. This condition increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
About 35% of overweight women with PCOS develop metabolic syndrome (prediabetes); 10% develop type 2 diabetes.
If you experience any or some of the symptoms listed above, you should talk to your practitioner about them. If you aren’t satisfied with the care you’ve received and think you may have PCOS or a related condition, seek another opinion. Many people with PCOS get diagnosed only after trusting their intuition that something isn’t right.
Most of the symptoms of PCOS are not severe enough on their own to prompt a visit to the emergency room or urgent care clinic. The “cysts” seen in PCOS are egg follicles and usually go away on their own in one to three months without symptoms. Rarely, they enlarge enough to cause pain, bleeding, or a twisted ovary. These symptoms may result in seeking emergency care.
A Word From Verywell
It’s important to get diagnosed with PCOS as soon as possible. While the above symptoms may or not mean you have it, it’s important to get it ruled in or out. Earlydetectionand treatment of PCOS can make a big difference in protecting your short- and long-term health. With the right diagnosis and treatment, you can then take the proper steps to manage PCOS and live well.
Maintaining a healthy weight is one natural way to treat PCOS. Eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting regular exercise are natural ways to achieve that.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sirmans SM, Pate KA.Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Epidemiol.2013;6:1-13. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S37559Rosenfield RL.The diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in adolescents.Pediatrics. 2015;136(6):1154-1165. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-1430Helvaci N, Karabulut E, Demir AU, Yildiz BO.Polycystic ovary syndrome and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis and review of the literature.Endocr Connect.2017;6(7):437-445. doi:10.1530/EC-17-0129Badawy A, Elnashar A.Treatment options for polycystic ovary syndrome.Int J Womens Health. 2011;3:25-35. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S11304Additional ReadingPolycystic Ovary Syndrome. Genetics Home Reference, National Institutes of Health.What Is an Ovarian Cyst?PCOS Awareness Association.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Office on Women’s Health.McCartney CR, Marshall JC.Clinical Practice. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(1):54–64. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1514916Sirmans SM, Pate KA.Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Epidemiol.2013;6:1-13. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S37559
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Sirmans SM, Pate KA.Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Epidemiol.2013;6:1-13. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S37559Rosenfield RL.The diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in adolescents.Pediatrics. 2015;136(6):1154-1165. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-1430Helvaci N, Karabulut E, Demir AU, Yildiz BO.Polycystic ovary syndrome and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis and review of the literature.Endocr Connect.2017;6(7):437-445. doi:10.1530/EC-17-0129Badawy A, Elnashar A.Treatment options for polycystic ovary syndrome.Int J Womens Health. 2011;3:25-35. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S11304Additional ReadingPolycystic Ovary Syndrome. Genetics Home Reference, National Institutes of Health.What Is an Ovarian Cyst?PCOS Awareness Association.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Office on Women’s Health.McCartney CR, Marshall JC.Clinical Practice. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(1):54–64. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1514916Sirmans SM, Pate KA.Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Epidemiol.2013;6:1-13. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S37559
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Sirmans SM, Pate KA.Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Epidemiol.2013;6:1-13. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S37559Rosenfield RL.The diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in adolescents.Pediatrics. 2015;136(6):1154-1165. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-1430Helvaci N, Karabulut E, Demir AU, Yildiz BO.Polycystic ovary syndrome and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis and review of the literature.Endocr Connect.2017;6(7):437-445. doi:10.1530/EC-17-0129Badawy A, Elnashar A.Treatment options for polycystic ovary syndrome.Int J Womens Health. 2011;3:25-35. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S11304
Sirmans SM, Pate KA.Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Epidemiol.2013;6:1-13. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S37559
Rosenfield RL.The diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in adolescents.Pediatrics. 2015;136(6):1154-1165. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-1430
Helvaci N, Karabulut E, Demir AU, Yildiz BO.Polycystic ovary syndrome and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis and review of the literature.Endocr Connect.2017;6(7):437-445. doi:10.1530/EC-17-0129
Badawy A, Elnashar A.Treatment options for polycystic ovary syndrome.Int J Womens Health. 2011;3:25-35. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S11304
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Genetics Home Reference, National Institutes of Health.What Is an Ovarian Cyst?PCOS Awareness Association.Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Office on Women’s Health.McCartney CR, Marshall JC.Clinical Practice. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(1):54–64. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1514916Sirmans SM, Pate KA.Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of polycystic ovary syndrome.Clin Epidemiol.2013;6:1-13. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S37559
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Genetics Home Reference, National Institutes of Health.
What Is an Ovarian Cyst?PCOS Awareness Association.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Office on Women’s Health.
McCartney CR, Marshall JC.Clinical Practice. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.N Engl J Med. 2016;375(1):54–64. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1514916
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