In this article:
- What is PCOS?
- Symptoms of PCOS
- Causes of PCOS
- Diagnosis of PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS affects over 7-10% of women of childbearing age. It is the most common endocrine disorder and can lead to difficulty conceiving or infertility. Approximately 5-6 million women in the US are affected by PCOS and most women are not even aware that they have it until they experience trouble getting pregnant or if they take a deep dive into major symptoms like missed periods, excessive facial and body hair, weight gain and acne.
It is important to find the right OBGYN near you at the right time to help manage your symptoms.
Breaking Down PCOS: What Every Woman Should Know
PCOS is a condition when the ovaries start producing an abnormal amount of androgens; the male sex hormones that are usually present in women in small amounts. This leads to the ovaries developing small cysts that produce the androgens leading to problems like anovulatory cycles, problems with your menstrual cycle and fertility issues. Although cysts or fluid filled sacs in the ovaries are common with PCOS, it is still possible that some women may not have these cysts and still have PCOS.
You can experience PCOS anytime after you hit puberty, but most women become aware of it in their 20s or 30s when they have trouble conceiving. You may also be at a higher risk of PCOS if someone in your immediate family already has PCOS, such as your mother or sister.
Think you might have PCOS? Start by learning to recognize the common signs and symptoms.
Common Symptoms of PCOS: What to Watch Out For
Here are some symptoms of PCOS to watch out for:
· Irregular Menstrual Cycle or a Missed Period: You might experience an unpredictable menstrual cycle where you may completely miss your period for several months or even get frequent or infrequent periods, i.e: an irregular menstrual cycle. This is the most common symptom of PCOS. A common sign to look out for is if your period is less than eight in a year, you get your period every 21 days or less instead of the 28-35 day normal cycle duration or even completely stop getting your period.
· Excessive Hair Growth: Hirsutism affects about 70% of women with PCOS and you may experience excessive hair growing in male pattern, such as, the lower part of your face like your chin and jaw
· Acne: An increase in hormonal acne and oily skin your face (lower part of the face) and upper back are a common symptom of PCOS.
· Hair Thinning: You may also experience Androgenic Alopecia or male pattern hair loss.
· Excessive Weight Gain: Losing weight will become a struggle for you and may also lead to obesity which can worsen your symptoms.
· Darkening of Skin: The most common tell-tale signs of PCOS can be noticed by looking at the creasing of your neck, groin, underarms and underneath breast to see if they have darkened. This condition is known as Acanthosis Nigricans. It is quite common in women with PCOS and insulin resistance, which puts you at a higher risk for Type 2 diabetes.
· Skin Tags: Being insulin resistant may also lead to skin tags in areas like the neck and armpits.
· Difficulty Conceiving or Infertility: Although not all women with PCOS experience infertility, trouble getting pregnant, staying pregnant and infertility are quite common with PCOS.
Hormones, Genetics & More: What’s Behind PCOS?
Read below to see what experts believe might have a role to play in PCOS.
· High levels of androgens: As mentioned earlier, all women have a small amount of androgens. The problem arises when the body starts producing an excess or abnormal amounts of androgens which cause symptoms like male pattern hair loss or excessive facial growth. A high level of androgens in your body can also cause you to have anovulatory cycles, which means ovulation does not take place since the ovaries do not release an egg. No egg means no pregnancy, i.e. difficulty conceiving or infertility.
· Insulin Resistance: Something that follows PCOS closely is insulin resistance and a glucose imbalance in your body which puts you at a greater risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that helps manage how the food you consume is converted into energy, processes glucose and helps keep your blood sugar stable. When you become insulin resistant, your body will need to produce more insulin leading to a build up of the hormone in your body causing further symptoms like weight gain and obesity and can also trigger your body to produce more male hormones like testosterone, thereby, worsening your symptoms.
· Genetics: If someone in your immediate family like your mother, sister or aunt have PCOS, you are at a higher risk of developing it as well. This study identifies 241 genes that play a role in PCOS development which control your ovary functions and hormone receptors.
· Low-grade inflammation: Low grade inflammation in your body can also cause an imbalance in your hormones and drive your ovaries to produce excess androgens.
PCOS Testing: How Healthcare Providers Confirm It
Wondering how your suspected PCOS may be diagnosed by your healthcare professional?
You will most likely end up going to a healthcare provider near you in your 20s or 30s when you experience trouble conceiving or irregular periods. Your OBGYN might inquire about your medical history and symptoms along with a pelvic exam. This will help in assessing the health of your reproductive organs. You will also receive an ultrasound which would be helpful in seeing the size of your ovaries and whether they have any polycystic cysts. Moreover, the ultrasound will also help in checking the thickness of your endometrium, i.e. your uterine lining. You will also be required to get blood tests done to detect high levels of androgens and other hormones like insulin and glucose levels that might be indicative of PCOS.
Discover Local PCOS Experts Through Carectory’s Healthcare Directory
At Carectory, we understand that living with PCOS can feel overwhelming and finding the right specialist near you shouldn’t add to that stress. That’s why we’ve made it easier than ever to connect with trusted OB-GYNs, endocrinologists, and women’s health experts near you who specialize in the treatment of PCOS.
Whether you’re looking to get a diagnosis, manage symptoms, or seek a second opinion, Carectory’s powerful one stop platform allow you to:
- Find PCOS-friendly doctors based on your location
- Filter by specialty and zip code
- Compare healthcare providers at a glance
- Get contact details and directions in seconds
Instead of endlessly searching for “PCOS doctors near me,” let Carectory be your go-to healthcare directory—giving you clarity, convenience, and confidence on your wellness journey.