Polycystic ovary syndrome is an ovulation disorder among women often caused by changes in their menstrual cycles as well as the occurrence of ovarian cysts, pregnancy complications and other disorders that affect cardiovascular health and physical appearance. It's a reproductive hormone problem that is very common in women of childbearing age, and it needs to be treated to reduce symptoms and prevent other health problems associated with this disease. In the following article we will help you with the diagnosis by telling you in detail what the symptoms of polycystic ovaries are.
A major symptom of polycystic ovaries is the changes that occur in the menstrual cycle of a woman. The most common are:
- Irregular menstrual cycles with altered bleeding that can be very slight or, conversely, very heavy and intense. This is the most common symptom of polycystic ovaries.
- Secondary amenorrhea or prolonged absence of menstruationafter having one or more regular periods.
Ovarian cysts are usually one of the main causes of infertility in women, although this is a symptom that does not always occur. This is due to the changes that occur on a hormonal level causing a lack of ovulation, because in this disorder mature eggs are not released from the ovaries and small cysts are formed on them.
Another symptom of polycystic ovaries is the development of a condition called hirsutism in which there is a greater appearance and excessive growth of hair in certain areas like the face, chest, abdomen, upper thighs and around the nipples. This is caused by elevated levels of androgens, or male sex hormones, produced by the presence of the ovarian cysts.
The woman affected can also develop other male sexual characteristics and symptoms such as reduced breast size, clitoral enlargement, loss of head hair and deepening of the voice.
Women with ovarian cysts usually experience changes in skin appearance, the most common being:
- Severe acne or worsening of acne and oily skin.
- Appearance of dark spots, folds or areas of dense skin around areas like the neck, breasts, armpits and groin.
They can also suffer from pelvic pain and experience weight gain, especially around the waist.
Triglycerides and cholesterol increase when a woman is suffering from polycystic ovaries syndrome, so high cholesterol and high blood pressure are additional symptoms.
If you experience any of these symptoms or have concerns about your period, you should see your doctor. He or she will be able to answer all the questions you have regarding menstruation or polycystic ovaries and will make a diagnosis.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to What Are the Symptoms of Polycystic Ovaries, we recommend you visit our Family health category.