Myobest

What age does PCOS start?

Females can get PCOS any time after puberty. Most people are diagnosed in their 20s or 30s when they’re trying to get pregnant. You may have a higher chance of getting PCOS if you have obesity or if other people in your biological family have PCOS.

How common is PCOS?

PCOS is very common — up to 15% of females of reproductive age have PCOS.

What are the signs of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

The most common signs and symptoms of PCOS include:

• Irregular periods: Abnormal menstruation involves missing periods or not having a period at all. It may also involve heavy bleeding during periods.
• Abnormal hair growth: You may grow excess facial hair or experience heavy hair growth on your arms, chest and abdomen (hirsutism). This affects up to 70% of people with PCOS.
• Acne: PCOS can cause acne, especially on your back, chest and face. This acne may continue past your teenage years and may be difficult to treat.
• Obesity: Between 40% and 80% of people with PCOS have obesity and have trouble maintaining a weight that’s healthy for them.
• Darkening of the skin: You may get patches of dark skin, especially in the folds of your neck, armpits, groin (between the legs) and under your breasts. This is known as acanthosis nigricans.
• Cysts: Many people with PCOS have ovaries that appear larger or with many follicles (egg sac cysts) on ultrasound.
• Skin tags: Skin tags are little flaps of extra skin. They’re often found in your armpits or on your neck.
• Thinning hair: People with PCOS may lose patches of hair on their head or start to bald.
• Infertility: PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility. Not ovulating regularly or frequently can result in not being able to conceive.

Can I have PCOS but not have any symptoms?

Yes, it’s possible to have PCOS and not have any symptoms. Many people don’t even realize they have the condition until they have trouble getting pregnant or are gaining weight for unknown reasons. It’s also possible to have mild PCOS, where the symptoms aren’t severe enough for you to notice.

What is the main cause of PCOS?

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. There’s evidence that genetics play a role. Several other factors, most importantly obesity, also play a role in causing PCOS:

• Higher levels of male hormones called androgens: High androgen levels prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs, which causes irregular menstrual cycles. Irregular ovulation can also cause small, fluid-filled sacs to develop on your ovaries. High androgen also causes acne and excess hair growth in females.
• Insulin resistance: An increase in insulin levels causes your ovaries to make and release male hormones (androgens). Increased male hormones suppress ovulation and contribute to other symptoms of PCOS. Insulin helps your body process glucose (sugar) and use it for energy. Insulin resistance means your body doesn’t process insulin correctly, leading to high glucose levels in your blood. Not all individuals with insulin resistance have elevated glucose or diabetes, but insulin resistance can lead to diabetes. Having overweight or obesity can also contribute to insulin resistance. An elevated insulin level, even if your blood glucose is normal, can indicate insulin resistance.
• Low–grade inflammation: People with PCOS tend to have chronic low-grade inflammation. Your healthcare provider can perform blood tests that measure levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells, which can indicate the level of inflammation in your body.

Can PCOS cause a miscarriage?

Having PCOS may increase your risk for certain pregnancy complications, although most people with PCOS are able to successfully carry a pregnancy. Other complications of PCOS related to pregnancy include increased risk of:

• Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and high blood pressure.
• Preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy) or C-section delivery due to obesity, diabetes or high blood pressure.