PCOS Awareness: 7 Early Signs of PCOS You Shouldn’t Ignore
While some women don’t have early symptoms of PCOS, they do experience irregular periods, weight gain, and fatigue. Early signs of PCOS should be diagnosed so that treatment can be started as soon as possible. This will help reduce the severity of pain.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. Although there is no cure, early diagnosis and treatment can help control symptoms. Finding and diagnosing early signs of PCOS can prevent many complications of the disease. Although many women don’t report early symptoms of PCOS, frequent acne, irregular periods, and weight gain can be signs of PCOS. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing these symptoms. Your medical history, blood tests, and a physical exam can help your doctor diagnose your condition.
What is polycystic ovary syndrome?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects women of childbearing age. In this condition, small fluid-filled sacs called cysts form on the ovaries. “Although not all women with PCOS develop these cysts,” explains gynecologist and pediatrician Dr. Suruchi Desai. The condition has many symptoms, including irregular menstruation (which can cause infertility), increased levels of male hormones (androgens), and metabolic problems.
PCOS, also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is considered one of the most common hormonal disorders in women. According to the World Health Organization, this condition affects 8 to 13 percent of women of reproductive age. It can cause problems such as infertility, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Although the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, it is believed that there is a link between genetics and the environment, mostly due to poor lifestyle and diet.
What are the first symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome?
Early symptoms of PCOS vary from woman to woman, but some early symptoms include:
1. Irregular menstruation and hormonal imbalance
Many women with PCOS have irregular or irregular periods due to hormonal imbalance. This irregularity can occur less than nine times a year, for a long period of time, or as heavy bleeding. A study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that irregular periods and prolonged periods are two of the defining factors of PCOS. However, some women also have PCOS and their menstrual periods are irregular.
2. Increase androgen levels
Another symptom of PCOS is increased androgen levels. In women with the condition, these male hormones are higher than normal. High male hormones can cause physical symptoms such as hirsutism, which is hair growth on the face, chest, and back, and can also cause male-pattern baldness, or thinning of scalp hair. Acne and oily skin also occur due to excess oil production due to increased androgen levels.
3. Weight gain
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight are other symptoms. This is often associated with insulin resistance, a condition in which the body’s cells do not respond well to insulin, causing insulin and blood sugar levels to rise. This insulin resistance can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, which is why many women with PCOS are at risk for the disease. A study published in the journal Human Reproduction found that women with PCOS gained more weight each year than women without PCOS.
4. Dark patches appear on the skin
Some women may also develop acanthosis nigricans, a dark, leathery skin condition that is usually found in body folds such as the neck, neckline and groin. A study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology Online found that the most common migrant site is the nape of the neck.
5. Fatigue
Fatigue is another symptom of PCOS that many women experience. While it’s not a direct symptom, many other symptoms of PCOS can cause fatigue. Fatigue can be an early sign of PCOS and requires immediate attention.
6. Depression
Many women with PCOS also report psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety, which may be due to the combination of physical symptoms and hormone deficiencies caused by medications. PCOS can be physically damaging and cause low self-esteem.
7. Other symptoms
There are also other symptoms that appear gradually, such as apnea, decreased libido, and metabolic diseases that cause high blood pressure, such as high cholesterol and triglycerides. These symptoms can vary from person to person, so early detection and diagnosis are important to manage the condition and reduce the risk of long-term complications.
When to see a doctor?
If you’ve experienced any of the early signs of PCOS, such as irregular periods, irregular menstrual cycles, or excessive hair growth, unexplained weight gain, or difficulty losing weight, you should consider visiting your doctor. If you’ve been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant or are experiencing signs of insulin resistance (such as dark spots on your skin or increased hunger and fatigue), it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. Early detection and treatment can help reduce the risk of long-term complications, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and infertility.
How is polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosed?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is diagnosed based on a combination of medical history, physical exam, and specific tests. Doctors often take a detailed medical history and perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam, to check for estrogens and androgens and other signs of hormone deficiencies.
After this, blood tests will be ordered to measure hormone, cholesterol, and glucose levels. In addition, an ultrasound may be done to check the ovaries and check for cysts. There is no single test that can diagnose PCOS; instead, it involves identifying other conditions and confirming the presence of at least two of the following three factors: irregular ovulation, high androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries.
What is the initial treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome?
Initial treatment for PCOS usually includes lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight control. For obese people, even a small amount of weight loss can help regulate menstrual bleeding and improve symptoms.
Medications may also be used, depending on a patient’s symptoms and whether they want to become pregnant. Birth control pills are often used to regulate the body’s menstrual cycle and reduce male hormones, which can help control symptoms such as acne and excess hair.
Women who want to get pregnant may be offered various fertility medications, such as Clomid or a combination of Clomid and metformin, Dr. Desai said, adding that there are also medications available that control insulin levels, such as metformin. However, medical treatment should be done under the close supervision of a doctor. In addition to medication, there are many other lifestyle changes to manage PCOS.
Can polycystic ovary syndrome be reversed if symptoms are treated?
PCOS is not completely reversible. While there is no cure for PCOS, early intervention and treatment of the early symptoms can help control the condition and reduce the risk of health problems. Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and participating in regular physical activity, can improve symptoms and help reduce stress. In some cases, these interventions can reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent the disease from developing, but they do not completely reverse it.
How is polycystic ovary syndrome treated permanently?
There is currently no permanent cure for PCOS. The condition can be effectively managed with medications, lifestyle changes, and other treatments, depending on a patient’s symptoms and health goals.
Medications can help regulate menstruation, reduce androgen levels, and regulate insulin levels. “While surgical options such as ovarian puncture or cyst removal were often used in the past, medications were not widely used due to lack of knowledge,” Dr. Desai explained. Women with PCOS should work closely with their doctors to develop a personalized treatment plan that meets their unique needs.
It is important to understand that stress and anxiety can make PCOS worse and that there is no permanent cure. However, early symptoms of PCOS need to be diagnosed and treated. Excessive exposure to estrogen in women with PCOS has been linked to precancerous changes later in life, making it essential to treat PCOS.