PCOS affects women in different ways, so not all women will have all these symptoms. Some women may have only mild symptoms, while others may have a wider range of more severe symptoms.
Symptoms can include:
- irregular periods, or a complete lack of periods
- rregular ovulation, or no ovulation at all
- reduced fertility – difficulty becoming pregnant, recurrent miscarriage
- unwanted facial or body hair (hirsutism)
- oily skin, acne
- thinning hair or hair loss from the scalp (alopecia)
- weight problems – being overweight, rapid weight gain, difficulty losing weight
- depression and mood changes.
Symptoms usually start in adolescence, although some women do not develop them until their early to mid twenties. The condition has long-term health implications as women with PCOS may have an increased risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.
Verity aims to help you understand your condition, to manage your symptoms and support you through what can be a lonely and emotional time.
