Life

PCOS: 1 in 5 women in UK are affected, but do you know the signs and symptoms?

Symptoms include irregular periods or no periods at all
Symptoms include irregular periods or no periods at all Symptoms include irregular periods or no periods at all

PCOS is an acronym you've probably heard of but it affects many women. Standing for polycystic ovary syndrome, it's a health condition caused by small growths on a woman's ovaries.

Despite the name, the condition doesn't actually cause cysts. Instead, polycystic ovaries produce fluid-filled sacs that contain immature eggs, which means ovulation is less likely to take place. Women with PCOS also tend to produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones, creating an imbalance in the body.

The condition can cause women to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to become pregnant, so it's a common concern – statistics state that around one in five women in the UK are affected.

The symptoms can be subtle, however, and are often confused with other health conditions, making it harder to get a diagnosis.

What are the signs?

The main symptoms include irregular periods or no periods at all, and difficulty becoming pregnant. While the condition doesn't pose any serious threat to a woman's health, it is a common cause of infertility.

Because of the higher levels of testosterone in the body, PCOS can cause excessive hair growth on the face and body. Women may also notice weight gain, thinning hair or hair loss, and oily skin or acne on their face.

Having polycystic ovaries can also increase a woman's chance of developing other health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, depression, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

During ovulation, the uterine lining sheds, but if you don't ovulate every month, the lining can build up, which can increase risk of developing womb cancer.

It's not known why PCOS happens but it may have a genetic link. The hormone imbalance experienced by women with PCOS may be a contributing factor too.

What to do if you think you might have PCOS

Symptoms often occur by your late teens or early 20. While there is no cure, there are ways that the symptoms can be managed. These include making healthy lifestyle changes and your GP may prescribe suitable medication.

With the right treatment, most women with PCOS are able to have children.

If you're concerned that you may have PCOS, speak to your GP.

Liz Connor (PA)