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Common signs of PCOS
Affecting one in ten women in the UK, many individuals may notice symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in their late teens or twenties. The symptoms can vary in intensity and not everyone will experience all of them. Recognising the key PCOS symptoms early on is essential for getting the right support and treatment.
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What is PCOS?
PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects ovarian function. It can develop at any age after puberty, although women are typically diagnosed in their twenties or thirties. Many teenagers may also discover they have the condition.
The exact cause remains unknown, but several factors are involved, including hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, and evidence suggesting PCOS may have a hereditary factor.
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
There are several symptoms associated with PCOS, including:
Irregular or absent menstrual periods – Ovulation is disrupted, and eggs are not released from the ovaries.
Increased levels of androgens - High levels of androgen, also referred to as male hormones, can result in excess facial and body hair on the face, chest or back.
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Difficulty conceiving – PCOS is one of the primary causes of infertility, due to irregular or no ovulation. Many individuals only discover they have PCOS when they have trouble getting pregnant.
Enlarged ovaries – These may contain multiple harmless fluid-filled sacs, known as follicles, that surround the eggs.
Additional signs include bloating, weight gain, oily skin, acne, thinning hair and hair loss from the head. If you experience any of these symptoms contact your doctor.
What are the risks?
Individuals with PCOS may have an increased chance of developing other long-term medical conditions. These can include high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease and stroke. PCOS can also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, a condition that occurs when the body is resistant to insulin, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. Overweight women may also develop sleep apnoea, a condition that causes interrupted breathing during sleep.
Moreover, PCOS can have an emotional impact, leading to changes in mood, anxiety and low self-esteem due to the physical aspects and long-term implications of the condition.
Although rare, individuals with a history of absent or very irregular periods have a higher-than-average risk of developing endometrial cancer. However, the risk remains small and can be minimised through various treatments that help regulate periods, such as the contraceptive pill.
Additionally, PCOS can increase the risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy.
How can PCOS be treated?
Although PCOS can’t be cured, it can be managed through several treatment options. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and develop a treatment plan to help manage your condition.
Adopting lifestyle changes – For those who are overweight, making healthy lifestyle changes is essential to minimise long-term health problems associated with PCOS. This includes eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, wholemeal foods, lean meats and fish, along with limiting alcohol intake and avoiding smoking. Incorporating exercise can also be beneficial for weight loss.
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It's important to consult a healthcare professional before starting any exercise routine or making significant diet changes.
Medication – If you are trying to conceive, your doctor may prescribe medication to help. This can include clomiphene, letrozole, and metformin, which can stimulate ovulation. Metformin can also be used to treat type 2 diabetes, encourage regular monthly periods, and decrease the risk of heart disease and miscarriage.
For excessive hair growth, the combined oral contraceptive pill is commonly prescribed and eflornithine cream may be used to slow down hair growth.
Fertility treatment - If you have PCOS and are having difficulty getting pregnant, fertility treatment such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) may be beneficial. This process involves collecting eggs from the ovaries, fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory, and then transferring the resulting embryos into the womb.
Surgical procedure - A minor surgical procedure known as laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) may be recommended to help alleviate symptoms. Performed under general anaesthetic, this procedure involves making a small incision in the lower abdomen and using a thin microscope to treat the ovaries. This treatment aims to reduce the tissue that produces androgens, helping to correct hormonal imbalances and restore normal ovarian function.
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Reviewed by Justin Chu, Medical Director at TFP Oxford Fertility.
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