PCOS Symptoms

Not all women with PCOS share the same symptoms but typically, women with PCOS exhibit one of three main symptoms.  They can have high levels of male hormones, irregular or no periods and small ovarian cysts. Some other frequently diagnosed symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome include:

• increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes-a condition called hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um)
• acne, oily skin, or dandruff
• weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
• 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
• pelvic pain
• anxiety or depression due to appearance and/or infertility
• sleep apnea-excessive snoring and times when breathing stops while asleep

Other conditions that might be a sign that you are experiencing  PCOS include:

• insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure

If you suspect that you may have polycystic ovary syndrome, schedule a visit to your doctor.  Your doctor will take a medical history, perform a physical exam, and possibly take some tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms. To learn more about how to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome, read on.