What are the symptoms and problems of PCOS?

Average rating:

Symptoms that occur if you do not ovulate

Period problems occur in about 7 in 10 women with PCOS. You may have irregular or light periods, or no periods at all.
Fertility problems - you need to ovulate to become pregnant. You may not ovulate each month, and some women with PCOS do not ovulate at all. PCOS is one of the commonest causes of infertility.

Symptoms that can occur if you make too much testosterone (male hormone)

Hair growth (hirsutes) occurs in more than half of women with PCOS. It is mainly on the face, lower abdomen, and chest. This is the only symptom in some cases.
Acne may persist beyond the normal teenage years.
Thinning of scalp hair (similar to 'male pattern baldness') occurs in some cases.

Other symptoms

Weight gain - about 4 in 10 women with PCOS are overweight or obese.
Depression or poor self esteem may develop as a result of the other symptoms.

Symptoms typically begin in the late teens or early 20s. Not all symptoms occur in all women with PCOS. For example, some women with PCOS have some excess hair growth, but have normal periods and fertility.

Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. For example, mild unwanted hair is normal, and it can be difficult to say when it becomes abnormal in women with mild PCOS. At the other extreme, severe PCOS can cause marked hair growth, infertility, and obesity. Symptoms may also change over the years. For example, acne may become less of a problem in middle age, but hair growth may become more noticeable.