PCOS Symptoms Women Often Normalise for Years

Community health discussion on TeleHealthCircle.

Community: PCOS & Women's Health

“I have always had irregular periods.” “My acne is probably just stress.” “Facial hair runs in my family.” “I only need to worry about PCOS when I want a baby.” Many women live with possible signs of PCOS for years because the symptoms appear unrelated or are dismissed as normal. Symptoms worth discussing with a qualified clinician include: Irregular or missed periods Frequently delayed, unpredictable or absent periods may indicate irregular ovulation. Persistent acne Especially when it continues beyond adolescence or does not respond to routine treatment. Increased facial or body hair Coarse hair may appear on the chin, upper lip, chest, abdomen or back. Thinning scalp hair Some women notice widening of the hair parting or increased hair fall. Unexplained weight gain or difficulty managing weight This is not experienced by everyone with PCOS, and PCOS can also occur in women who are not overweight. Dark, thickened patches of skin These may appear around the neck, underarms, groin or beneath the breasts and can be associated with insulin resistance. Difficulty becoming pregnant Irregular ovulation can make conception more difficult, but PCOS does not mean pregnancy is impossible. H

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