Irregular periods - The most common sign of PCOS is period problems. Many women will have irregular periods or infrequent periods. Irregular or infrequent menstruation is directly related to hormone imbalance. Some women experience light periods because they are not ovulating, and some women may experience extremely heavy menstruation because the lining of the uterus continues to thicken during missed periods. Women with PCOS typically have fewer than six to eight cycles in a year.
Difficulty getting pregnant or infertility - If you are not ovulating regularly, then your chance of getting pregnant is lower.
Excessive hair growth - Up to 70% of women with PCOS experience excessive hair growth on the face, chin, back, belly, and other places that men typically grow hair. This excessive hair growth is referred to as hirsutism.
Hair loss - Women with PCOS may experience hair loss or thinning hair on the scalp, similar to male-pattern baldness. This is attributed to high androgen levels.
Acne - High levels of androgens due to PCOS may cause oily skin, leading to breakouts of acne on the face, chest and back for women post-puberty.
Weight gain – More than half of women with PCOS struggle with weight gain and losing weight.
Other skin changes - High insulin levels and insulin resistance can lead to thicker and darker patches of skin around the neck, groin, and other skin creases. Skin tags (small excess flaps of skin), often on the neck or armpits, can also be a sign of insulin resistance.
