Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects about 1 in 10 women. However, many women don’t know they have it until problems arise, such as difficulty getting pregnant or unexpected weight gain.
PCOS causes a hormonal imbalance in your body. That leads to a range of issues, including irregular periods and elevated levels of male hormones like testosterone, which might lead to acne or unwanted hair growth.
But PCOS isn’t just a hormonal disorder. It can also increase your risk of long-term health problems like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. To prevent these complications, early diagnosis and effective management are essential.
At ARA Integrative and Functional Medicine in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, Dr. Rina Kapoor, a double board-certified internal and integrative medicine specialist, understands how overwhelming PCOS can be.
That’s why she focuses on more than just your symptoms. She uses advanced diagnostic tools to determine what’s going on with your body and help you manage your PCOS.
Here, she outlines five telling signs that you may have PCOS.
Irregular menstrual cycles are typically the first sign of PCOS. You may notice your periods are sporadic, unusually light or heavy, or not occurring at all. These irregularities are likely because you’re not ovulating or your ovaries aren’t releasing eggs during your cycle.
All women have androgen, a male sex hormone. However, people with PCOS commonly have higher levels.
Excessive androgen levels can lead to symptoms such as excessive body and facial hair growth (hirsutism), severe acne, and hair thinning or loss. These symptoms can be emotionally distressing, affecting your self-esteem and mental health.
If Dr. Kapoor suspects you have PCOS, she conducts tests, including an ultrasound. Finding cysts on your ovaries during an ultrasound might indicate PCOS. These cysts are follicles containing immature eggs that haven’t reached ovulation due to hormonal imbalances.
Note that not all women with polycystic ovaries experience PCOS; conversely, not all women diagnosed with PCOS have visible cysts.
Many women with PCOS find they gain weight easily and have difficulty losing it, especially around their stomachs.
PCOS triggers insulin resistance, which affects your body’s ability to use insulin effectively. Insulin resistance can lead to obesity and increase your risk of diabetes. Weight loss in these cases is difficult without tailored dietary and lifestyle changes.
Chronic fatigue and mood swings are common with PCOS. These can directly relate to hormonal imbalances or indirectly relate to other symptoms, such as poor sleep and stress from dealing with other chronic symptoms.
Many PCOS symptoms result from a hormonal imbalance, making hormone replacement therapy one of the most effective treatments for the condition.
At ARA Integrative and Functional Medicine, we specialize in managing PCOS. If you think you might have PCOS or struggle with any of the above symptoms, request a consultation with us online or call our Philadelphia-area office at 610-358-3300 today.
