Polycystic ovary syndrome, also known as PCOS, is a common condition. It affects five out of every 10 women. This condition affects your hormones and this leads to irregular periods. Due to this many other changes are seen in your body.

Doctors take the help of ultrasound and blood tests to know and understand the problem of PCOS in depth. However, many times women suffering from PCOS do not even know that they have this condition.

Many times some such symptoms are also seen in our body, which points towards PCOS. If your body is also showing these symptoms, then you should not ignore them at all. Functional Hormonal Health Nutritionist Shikha Gupta shares essential information about PCOS through her social media accounts. Let's learn from them about the symptoms of PCOS.

1. Acne is a symptom of PCOS

If you are going through an acne problem, then you might have PCOS. Acne caused by PCOS is usually seen on the back, chest and face. This is due to the imbalance of hormone levels. Acne caused by PCOS occurs in the areas that are most affected by hormonal imbalance. You may have acne on your face, especially under your cheekbones and near your jawline. In addition, you may also have acne on your back, chest and elbows.

2. Seeing dark patches on the skin is also a symptom

If you have suddenly started seeing dark patches on your skin, then this can also be a symptom of PCOS. These dark patches on the skin are caused by high insulin levels, which are also linked to excess weight gain. These dark patches are visible on your neck and sometimes on your underarms as well. These rashes are called acanthosis.

3. Sugar cravings are a symptom of PCOS

Have you noticed that you crave sweets a lot during periods? This can be a symptom of PCOS. Women with PCOS tend to crave carbs and sweets due to increased insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps control the level of glucose in the blood. Not only this, it transports glucose to the cells of your body, so that it can be used to generate energy.

4. Irregular menstrual flow is a symptom of PCOS

If suddenly there is a difference in the flow of your periods or suddenly your periods have started missing, then you must contact the doctor. Irregular periods and changes in flow is a major symptom of PCOS. When the level of androgen hormone increases in your body, which helps in ovulation. Your flow is disturbed due to PCOS.

5. Constipation is the cause of PCOS

You may not have thought about it at all, but according to experts, chronic constipation can be a symptom of PCOS. Severe abdominal pain and disturbances in bowel movements are common complaints of women with PCOS. Insulin resistance PCOS causes gut dysbiosis, or an imbalance in gut bacteria, which can trigger constipation.

Apart from this, nutritionist Shikha Gupta also gives many such symptoms, which point towards PCOS. Apart from these 5 symptoms, other unknown symptoms are as follows-

  • Sudden hair loss
  • Feeling negative or emotional before your period
  • Hair thinning
  • Facial hair growth
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Severe pain during periods
  • Increase in insulin level

Nutritionist Gupta says to also keep in mind that even if you have regular periods, you can still have PCOD. At the same time, very thin women also go through it. Do not ignore any kind of possibility and if you see any such symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

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