PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder in women, which can take place from when a woman gets her first period, till they reach menopause. There is typically an imbalance of 2 hormones when a woman is diagnosed with PCOS: androgens and insulin.There could be many causes of PCOS, a common cause is genetics.
Managing our period cycle is already a challenge – easier for some, and difficult for others. However, suffering from PCOS aggravates a lot of your symptoms, making your cycle often much more difficult. If you are someone suffering from PCOS, remember that you are not alone. Here are some common symptoms of PCOS that you can look out for:

Irregular Period

The average menstrual cycle is of 28 days, however anywhere between 21 and 35 days is considered normal. 1 When your period ranges between 5-7 days, it is considered an average flow. However, when it prolongs even after 7 days it is considered irregular. This happens when the uterus does not shed enough due to lack of ovulation and our periods become irregular. Irregularity can be very slight and, in some cases, can result in not having periods for months. There are also cases of women having prolonged periods which gets extremely exhausting due to constant flow – also leading to lethargy and fatigue. Remember to visit your gynecologist to get the recommended treatment required to regulate your periods, and take extra-care of yourself.

Weight Gain & Bloating

According to an article on endocrineweb, approximately 80% of women with PCOS gain weight. 2 The most common area of weight gain is around the stomach and abdomen, and because this extra weight gain means excessive unhealthy fats in the body, you are at an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and endometriosis.

You can learn more about endometriosis on our blog: https://butterfly- storepk.myshopify.com/blogs/girl-talk/let-s-talk-about-endometriosis

While it is difficult to shed the extra weight, a positive light at the end of this dark tunnel is that by losing some excess body fat, you can significantly improve your overall PCOS symptoms. Whole bloating is a menstrual symptom in itself, it is also aggravated with PCOS, making the bloating much worse or more long-term.

Hair Loss and Hair Growth

70% of women with PCOS experience excessive hair-growth on their body – known as hirsutism. 3 This is caused due to high androgen levels in the body, as well as high levels of testosterone. The most common areas for hair to appear is the lower back, inner thighs, chin, sides of the face, upper lip, neck, abdomen and upper arms. On the other hand, some women also get hair thinning and patterned baldness on their scalp.

Physiological and Psychological Changes

There are several other things that happen when diagnosed with PCOS – and with each woman, the severity varies based on how serious their PCOS symptoms are and the underlying causes. For instance, some women get dark patches on their body, specifically in the neck and groin area. Hormonal adult acne is also a common occurrence, especially on the face and back.

Mood swings, depression and confusion are also very common symptoms of living with PCOS – which are aggravated as they also occur often with regular periods.

On top of the many challenges women have to face every month due to their period, facing PCOS alongside it really makes them warriors. If you think you may have PCOS, book an appointment with your gynecologist to get the correct treatment.