Rhonda McGriff; Registered Nurse - Critical Care, Jacksonville District

 

Image source: womenshealth.gov

As women, it is important for our hormones to remain in balance. If they ever get out of balance, you could experience some unwanted changes in your appearance, irregular periods or even diabetes.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is identified when a woman’s hormones are out of balance. “Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful but lead to hormone imbalances.”

The following symptoms are most common and could appear due to the hormonal imbalance:

• Acne
• Weight gain and trouble losing weight
• Extra hair on the face and body. Often women get thicker and darker facial hair and more hair on the chest, belly, and back
• Thinning hair on scalp
• Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a tear. Some women have no periods. Others have very heavy bleeding.
• Fertility problems. Many women who have PCOS have trouble getting pregnant (infertility)
• Depression

It is not quite understood at this time exactly why the hormones get out of balance in PCOS. Nor is the cause of PCOS fully understood. However, it is suspected that genetics could play a role in the cause.

Visiting your gynecologist or primary care provider is very important when it comes to detecting conditions such as PCOS.

Source used for article information:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Symptoms, Cause, and Treatment. (2014, March 12). Retrieved August 12, 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/women/tc/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-topic-overview

Written by: Rhonda McGriff,RN