Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a woman’s hormonal issue. Many don’t even know they have it until they try to become pregnant. Symptoms of PCOS can also vary between women. Some may gain weight and experience difficulty shedding the extra pounds, while others develop facial hair, acne, and suffer from hair loss.
A common issue that most women with PCOS face is irregular periods. A gynecologist in Navi Mumbai can offer personalized treatment for PCOS. Meanwhile, here’s all you should know about PCOS and how it affects your periods.
What Exactly Happens in PCOS?
The main reproductive hormones that a woman’s body produces are estrogen and progesterone. They also produce a small amount of male hormone, called androgen. In women with PCOS, the androgen level surges, causing strange symptoms, like facial hair growth and hair loss. This hormonal imbalance can affect your menstrual cycle. Your period might be late, too early, or absent for months.
This happens when your ovaries develop tiny fluid-filled sacs, called follicles. These contain your eggs. Normally, one of the ovaries releases a mature egg during ovulation. In PCOS, multiple follicles are produced, but they don’t mature. As a result, the eggs are not released.
How PCOS Affects Periods
You are diagnosed with PCOS when you have irregular periods, polycystic ovaries, or a high level of androgen.
Absent or Irregular Periods
A normal menstrual cycle is 28-35 days long. Bleeding lasts for 2-7 days. Many women with PCOS do not get their period for a month. This happens because of absent ovulation. When your ovaries do not release a mature egg, you may not ovulate. As a result, your uterine lining doesn’t shed. Your hormones might get out of control, leading to very few periods or absent periods.
Heavy Periods
Another common symptom of PCOS is heavy periods. This happens when the uterine lining becomes thicker over time due to a lack of ovulation and an irregular menstrual cycle. So, when your period does occur, the built-up lining sheds, causing heavy bleeding. Sometimes, the bleeding can last longer than 7 days. Some women also pass blood clots.
Painful Periods
In PCOS, women get periods after months. The thickened lining makes your uterus contract more than usual to shed the endometrial lining. This may result in pelvic inflammation and painful periods. Sometimes, ovarian cysts can become larger, causing pain in the back or lower abdomen. Severe menstrual cramps in PCOS can also suggest a co-existing medical issue, such as endometriosis.
Other Symptoms of PCOS
Apart from period irregularities, women with PCOS can have these:
Weight Gain: PCOS disrupts your metabolism, making it more challenging to lose weight. As a result, Women with PCOS develop excess weight, especially around the belly. Rapid weight gain in PCOS is also linked to insulin resistance.
Body Hair: High androgen levels lead to hirsutism, which causes unusual facial hair growth.
Acne: High androgen levels also increase sebum production, which makes your skin oily and prone to acne. Fortunately, PCOS treatment in Navi Mumbai offers hope to women who struggle with period issues, infertility, and other hormonal problems due to PCOS.