Symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome

General information about symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome: The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome. This symptom information has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome. Furthermore, symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of symptoms and whether they are indeed symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome.

List of symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome: The list of symptoms mentioned in various sources for Polycystic ovary syndrome includes:

• Menstrual and fertility problems
  • Irregular periods
  • Absent periods
  • Irregular bleeding
  • Infrequent ovulation
  • No ovulation
  • Late ovulation
  • Infertility
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Enlarged ovaries
  • Pelvic pain
  • Miscarriage - a higher rate than in non-PCOS women
• Insulin resistance
• Hyperinsulinemia
• Diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Abnormal lipid levels
  • High cholesterol
  • Low cholesterol
  • High triglycerides
• High blood pressure - over 140/90
• Increased male hormones - from excessive androgens and this causes various symptoms:
  • Weight gain
  • Obesity
  • Increased testosterone
  • Excess hair growth
  • Hirsutism
  • Facial hair growth
  • Male-pattern baldness - occurring in women
  • Thinning hair
  • Acne
• Skin symptoms
  • Acne
  • Oily skin
  • Dandruff
  • Thickened darkened skin patches
  • Skin tags

Symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome: 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.¹

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.

More symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome: In addition to the above information, to get a full picture of the possible symptoms of this condition and its related conditions, it may be necessary to examine symptoms that may be caused by complications of Polycystic ovary syndrome, underlying causes of Polycystic ovary syndrome, associated conditions for Polycystic ovary syndrome, risk factors for Polycystic ovary syndrome, or other related conditions.

Medical articles on symptoms: These general reference articles may be of interest:

• Symptoms of the Silent Killer Diseases
• Symptoms and Medical Malpractice

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

• Risk Factor Center
• Medical Statistics Center
• Medical Treatment Center
• Prevention Center
• Medical Tests Center

• Disease & Treatments Search
• Online Diagnosis
• Misdiagnosis Center
• Full list of interesting articles