Are you suffering from mood swings, irregular periods, or acne? Even worse, you might be facing difficulties in getting pregnant or thinning of hairs. Well, though these are a few signs and symptoms of PCOS, it is better to dive in the concept to get deeper insights. It will help you judge your condition better and seek immediate help if needed.

What is PCOS?

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome which is a hormonal disorder among females. This syndrome is majorly observed during the reproductive age of females.  They often have excessive production of male hormone also known as an androgen which contributes to male like characters such as male pattern baldness, excessive hair growth, etc. Moreover, in women with PCOS, the ovaries have excessive follicular development and are observed to release eggs irregularly leading to altered menstrual cycle.

Though there are many speculations, the exact cause of PCOS is not very well known. That’s why early detection with the help of common signs and symptoms of PCOS can be very crucial. It can help in reducing the conditions which can have long term impacts such as excessive weight gain condition leading to type 3 diabetes and cardiac-related issues.

Common Signs and Symptoms of PCOS

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) can have seemingly unrelated signs and symptoms. As it alters your hormonal levels, you may experience a wide range of symptoms and some of them are:

• Hair loss or excessive hair growth (Hirsutism)
• Excessive acne and oily skin problems
• Recurrent pregnancy loss (miscarriages)
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Depression or mood swings

The Reason Behind Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Thought the exact cause behind PCOS is yet to be understood clearly, there are certain common factors which has been identified by scientist such as:

• Your Genes: It is reported that if you have a family history of PCOS, there are chances you may also suffer from the same. Well, you may question why so? The answer to it lies in your genes. There are many genes that play a functional role at the metabolic level. Any alteration or mutation in these genes can lead to PCOS. Therefore, taking a DNA test can be of great help to treat the signs and symptoms of PCOS in the long term.
• Altered female hormone: Improper lifestyle or unhealthy eating habits can contribute to altered levels of estrogen hormone. This in a way directly impacts the ovulation cycle leading to irregular menstrual cycles.
• Altered insulin levels: High levels of insulin in your body can make your cells resistant to it. This leads to an increase in the production of male hormone i.e. androgen which results in complications like Hirsutism, infertility and more.
• Inflammation: In many females, it is observed that inflammation is a major sign or symptom of PCOS. The reason for this is it stimulates the ovaries to produce excessive androgen which is a male hormone leading to various complications.

Health Complication Found to be Associated with PCOS

It is very much clear from the earlier discussed points that how severe PCOS can be. It can lead to various health complications and a few of them are:

• Increased tendency towards gestational diabetes
• High blood pressure issues during pregnancy
• Premature birth, infertility, and  pregnancy loss
• Sleep apnea
• Anxiety and eating disorders or depression
• Endometrial cancer
• Liver inflammation
• Obesity
• Atypical uterine bleeding

Way Ahead

If you find any of the above common signs and symptoms of PCOS, please do consult your doctor. They will help you in understanding the condition in more detail and will provide you the best PCOS treatment. Though there are many options available to treat PCOS, one of the most reliable and natural way of overcoming PCOS is through lifestyle changes by properly understanding your body. For this, you can opt for a DNA based test wherein the genes associated with various metabolic conditions in PCOS are assessed thoroughly. Moreover, once you get your genetic report the nutrigenomics counselors share you a comprehensive diet and exercise based recommendations. Following these recommendations can have a drastic and significant impact on your condition, making you live your life normally without any worries.