Al Mousa Specialist Hospital provides many therapeutic services to patients, including polycystic ovary syndrome treatment. Many patients, before they are sure they need treatment, want to know the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. In the following lines, we reveal the details of the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome and more details about this disease.
Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects the hormonal balance in women, and appears through a set of physical and hormonal signs.
First: Mild symptoms (in the early stages)
1- Menstrual disorders
Irregular menstrual periods, such as being late for more than 35 days, or being absent for several months, are among the most prominent early signs.
2- Slight weight gain
Some women experience gradual weight gain, especially around the abdomen and waist area, even without a major change in diet.
3- The appearance of light excess hair
Fine, thin hair grows in unusual places in women, such as the chin or above the upper lip.
4- Mild or recurring acne
Acne often appears on the chin, lower jaw, and back, and is persistent or does not respond easily to conventional treatments, due to hormonal disorders.
5- Weakness in hair
Some women notice weak hair follicles, or the beginnings of light loss, especially from the front of the head, as a result of the effect of the cyst on the hair follicles.
6- Craving sugars and carbohydrates a lot
Many affected women tend to have an excessive desire to eat sugar due to disturbances in insulin levels.
7- Excessive sweating at night
Night sweats appear noticeably without a clear cause, and are the result of hormonal disturbances or a defect in the response to sugar levels.
8- Mild swelling of the face or feet before menstruation
A slight fluid retention in the body may occur as a result of a hormonal imbalance, but it goes away after a short period.
9- Minor mood swings
A woman may feel tense, nervous, or have mild, unexplained bouts of sadness.
10- Cold hands and feet despite the hot weather
This sometimes indicates slowed metabolism or a defect in the body's response to the hormone insulin.
Get to know: Methods of treating polycystic ovary syndrome
Second: Severe symptoms (in advanced stages)
These symptoms appear if the condition is not diagnosed early or in more advanced cases, in which the severity of some symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome increases in its early stages, such as a noticeable increase in weight, significant hair loss, and the spread of acne on the skin, and stronger and more severe symptoms appear, such as:
1- Infertility or difficulty getting pregnant
One of the most worrying complications is that it may hinder regular ovulation, making pregnancy difficult without therapeutic intervention.
2- Darkening of the skin in the folds of the skin
Dark, velvety spots appear in the neck, underarms, and between the thighs, which is a sign of insulin resistance, and may later indicate the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
3- Chronic pelvic pain
Some women feel heaviness or discomfort in the pelvic area, even outside of their period, and this may be accompanied by bloating or a feeling of fullness.
4- Blurred thinking or difficulty concentrating
It is known as “foggy brain” and occurs as a result of the effect of cysts on the hormones that affect concentration and memory.
5- Skin manifestations such as oils under the skin
It appears in the form of white and black pimples and small bumps under the skin on the face or back that do not go away easily, as a result of increased sebum secretion.
6- Snoring during sleep or nocturnal breathing disorder
It is more common in women with polycystic obesity, and is associated with sleep apnea.
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Our team at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital of skilled doctors and specialists has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating this condition effectively and safely, and we offer a wide range of therapeutic services through: مركز صحة المرأةDo not hesitate to contact us if you suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned in the article
If you are married, you can learn about: Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome for married women Learn about treatment methods
How do you rate the severity of PCOS symptoms?
Women can estimate the severity of the condition by tracking the basic symptoms in three aspects:
- Menstrual disorder
- Visible hormonal symptoms (such as hair loss and acne)
- Metabolic symptoms (such as weight and insulin resistance)
The following table shows the method for subjective assessment of the severity of the condition:
| Indicator | Light condition | Average condition | Severe condition |
| menstrual cycle | Sometimes irregular (slight lag) | Frequent tardiness or absence for several months. | A complete break or a cycle every few months. |
| Excess hair growth | Light and unnoticeable | Visible in the chin or abdomen | Dense and rough in the face and chest |
| young love | Light and seasonal | Persistent and treatment-resistant | Painful, deep, extending to the shoulder and back |
| Weight and burn resistance | Slight weight gain | Moderate difficulty losing weight | Obvious obesity despite diet |
| Hair loss | Light and sparse | Clear in the front of the head | Wide void areas |
| Ovulation/pregnancy problems | Normal or simple pregnancy | Delayed pregnancy for no apparent reason | Infertility or failure to ovulate |
| Insulin/diabetes symptoms | Craving sugar only | Fatigue after eating, gluttony | Darkening of the skin, thirst, excessive urination |
Remember that this evaluation does not replace a doctor's visit or tests such as an ultrasound, hormone analysis, or insulin resistance analysis.
When should you visit a doctor immediately?
In some cases, waiting is not a safe option, especially if symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome appear, which may indicate a clear hormonal imbalance or complications occurring. See your doctor immediately if you notice the following:
- Delayed menstruation for more than 3 months, without pregnancy or menopause. This may indicate a major hormonal imbalance.
- Difficulty conceiving for more than 6-12 months, despite regular marital relations. The reason may be an ovulation defect.
- The appearance of thick, coarse hair in unusual places, especially in places such as the chin, chest, and abdomen.
- Excessive weight gain over a short period, with strong resistance to any attempts to lose weight despite adhering to a healthy diet.
- Symptoms suggestive of complications such as diabetes or a metabolic disorder, such as darkening of the neck or underarms, extreme thirst, excessive urination, dizziness after eating, and frequent fatigue.
- Sudden or persistent pelvic pain, which may indicate a large ovarian cyst or a complication such as ovarian torsion.
- Abnormal bleeding between periods or for a long time, because polycystic ovary syndrome may cause the lining of the uterus to swell, which increases the risk of bleeding or even uterine diseases.
My experience with the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome
At first, I noticed persistently late and irregular periods.
I went to consult a doctor, had tests and an ultrasound done, and the doctor actually diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome.
Frequently asked questions
What color is polycystic ovary blood?
The color of polycystic ovary blood differs from menstrual blood. The color of polycystic ovary blood is often dark brown or black, as a result of the blood being oxidized and remaining in the uterus for a period.
What does the cyst look like if it comes down during menstruation?
The ovarian cyst may sometimes prolapse with menstruation if it ruptures. It appears in the form of sticky, gel-like blood clots along with dark brown secretions resulting from old blood collected inside the cyst and sticky secretions mixed with blood. It may be accompanied by sudden pain that goes away after bleeding.
Does polycystic ovary syndrome cause flatulence?
Yes, it may cause abdominal bloating in some women, due to hormonal disturbances, which affects the digestive process and causes fluid and gas retention. Large cysts may put pressure on the intestines or bladder and cause a feeling of fullness and bloating. Slow digestion and constipation are also common with ovulatory disorders.
Medical sources
This information was based on:
