Symptoms and Complications
There are many possible symptoms, and you can have PCOS without having all
of them. Some of the common symptoms include:
- acne
- difficulty becoming pregnant (infertility)
- irregular menstrual periods
- obesity
- skin discolorations
- unwanted hair growth or loss
Symptoms most commonly associated with PCOS are unwanted hair growth and
irregular menstrual periods. Women may have fewer menstrual periods (oligomenorrhea)
or miss their periods for 6 months or more (amenorrhea).
Many women do not know they have PCOS until they try to become pregnant.
Infertility is an issue for about 75% of those with PCOS. If these women do
become pregnant, they are at an increased risk of miscarriage. About half of
those with PCOS have acanthosis nigricans (a brown-gray skin discoloration),
signifying that the body has too much insulin.
About 50% of women with PCOS are obese, and in many cases the extra
body weight is centered around the abdomen. Central obesity increases the risk
of developing many conditions, including:
- cholesterol problems
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
Regardless of their body weight, women with PCOS have an increased risk for
developing these conditions.
Acne is another symptom seen by some women with PCOS. 85% of women older than
age 20 who suffer from acne likely have PCOS. Loss of hair from the scalp is
also possible.
Complications of PCOS can include endometrial cancer: if a woman has
irregular menstrual periods for an extended time, the lining of the uterus can
build up and develop cancerous cells. This may take many years to develop. Women
who do not have regular periods (or any periods at all) should consult their
doctor.