Symptoms of PCOS can differ between individuals. Symptoms typical of PCOS are due to the underlying process of PCOS. The cause of PCOS is a condition called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is due to the body's production of high amounts of insulin in order to control blood sugar levels. Excessive insulin causes the ovaries to produce too much of the hormone testosterone and other male sex hormones.
This results in symptoms, such as excessive hair growth on the face and body, acne, lack of ovulation, and irregular menstrual periods or no menstrual periods (amenorrhea) and infertility.
PCOS can cause serious complications to health. PCOS is considered a form of prediabetes and is linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of the ovarian cysts that are produced in PCOS can include lower abdominal pain which can vary in intensity. Symptoms may also include painful intercourse.
Complications of ovarian cysts can include twisting, rupturing or bleeding of a cyst, which can result in sudden, sharp abdominal pain. Pelvic bleeding or hemorrhage can also occur and result in low blood pressure, shock and death if not diagnosed and treated promptly....more about Polycystic ovary syndrome »
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Polycystic ovary syndrome includes the 61 symptoms listed below:
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Do I have Polycystic ovary syndrome?
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The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Polycystic ovary syndrome includes:
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Is it possible to have PCOS without having cysts?
This is an area of disagreement among medical professionals. While most women with PCOS have polycystic ovaries, some doctors will diagnose a woman with PCOS based on other physical symptoms or hormone abnormalities. (Source: excerpt from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): NWHIC)
Some of the other symptoms of PCOS include:
Infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding;
Infrequent or no ovulation;
Increased serum levels of male hormones, such as testosterone;
Inability to get pregnant within six to 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse (infertility);
Pelvic pain that lasts longer than six months;
Weight gain or obesity;
Diabetes, over-production of insulin, and inefficient use of insulin in the body;
Abnormal lipid levels (such as high or low cholesterol levels, and high triglycerides);
High blood pressure (over 140/90);
Excess growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes;
Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair;
Acne, oily skin, or dandruff;
Patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, groin, underarms, or skin folds; and
Skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area.
When considering symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome, it is also important to consider Polycystic ovary syndrome as a possible cause of other medical conditions. The Disease Database lists the following medical conditions that Polycystic ovary syndrome may cause:
Onset of Polycystic ovary syndrome: women of reproductive age
These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:
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The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome. This signs and symptoms information for Polycystic ovary syndrome has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Polycystic ovary syndrome signs or Polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms.
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