Early warning symptoms of PCOS every woman must watch for

PCOS is a common hormone-related disorder affecting 3.7% to 22.5 women. It usually is undiagnosed or diagnosed only when a woman is experiencing trouble conceiving, but it may lead to other comorbidities (Image: Pexels)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common hormone-related disorder in Indian women, said to have a prevalence between 3.7 and 22.5 percent. It is a very wide range depending upon the population studied as well as the criteria used for diagnosis.

It is a leading cause of infertility and has associations with other health problems like diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and endometrial cancer.

PCOS often remains undiagnosed until the time a woman struggles with infertility. Thus early diagnosis enables better management of the disease, minimizes the risk of subsequent complications, and improves general health, says Dr. Tripti Raheja, Lead Consultant of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.

Here are a few early warning signs of PCOS:

1. Irregular menstruation:

The most common initial sign of PCOS is irregular period. It can be too long cycles (more than 35 days), too short, or periodic amenorrhea. It results from irregular ovulation or anovulation in PCOS, says Raheja.

2. Excessive facial or body hair (Hirsutism):

PCOS leads to increased androgen (male hormone) levels, resulting in excessive hair growth on the face, chest, belly, or back. PCOS is psychologically distressing and usually ignored or attributed to family heredity.

3. Oily skin and acne:

Persistent acne, particularly along the jawline and lower face, may signal a hormonal imbalance. Unlike teenage acne, PCOS-related acne often continues into adulthood and is resistant to regular treatments, says the Doctor.

4. Weight gain or failure to lose weight:

Most women with PCOS gain weight for no apparent reason, especially in the middle. This is due to insulin resistance, a feature of PCOS, that also causes a tendency towards developing type 2 diabetes.

5. Thin hair on the scalp:

While there is too much hair in places it is not wanted, PCOS can also lead to hair loss of scalp hair, particularly in the temples or crown, as in male-pattern baldness. This is because the patients with PCOS have elevated levels of male hormones.

6. Skin changes:

Darkening of the skin, especially of the neck, armpits, or groin (also referred to as acanthosis nigricans), and small skin tags may also be a symptom of insulin resistance with PCOS.