7 ways to know if you have PCOS
Carolyn Clifford / WXYZ Channel 7 Action News
About one in every 10 women of childbearing age has a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. Women with this condition often have high levels of androgens, which are often considered male hormones. And there are usually a large number of cysts in their ovaries. It's important to know if you have this condition because it is the most common cause of infertility in women. It can also affect a woman's menstrual cycle, hormones, heart, blood vessels and appearance. It can lead to high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.
There is no cure, but symptoms can be treated. Here are seven of the symptoms of PCOS. Most women with the condition will have several of these conditions.
Infrequent menstrual periods. Some women with PCOS have irregular bleeding. Others have no periods at all.
Infertility. In PCOS, a woman's body doesn't make enough of the hormones needed for her eggs to fully mature.
Increased hair growth. Women with PCOS will often have hair growth on their face, chest, stomach, back thumbs or toes.
Oily skin. This often leads to dandruff and acne.
Pelvic pain.
Weight gain or obesity. Women with PCOS will usually carry their extra weight around their waists.
Patches of thickened skin. Black or brown skin patches are often found on the neck, arms, breasts or thighs.
You can watch Action News anchor Carolyn Clifford's Health Edge reports at 5 p.m. weekdays on WXYZ Channel 7 Action News.
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