From baldness to sleeping problems, the bizarre symptoms of a hormone problem ... trends now
It's a major cause of infertility that affects around one in 10 women of childbearing age.
Tell-tale symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), such as heavy/irregular periods, acne and weight gain, can easily be mistaken for other causes.
On top of that, experts say there are less common signs of the hormonal condition that are typically not spoken about, including sleeping difficulties, depression and skin problems...
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes a hormone imbalance which can lead to mood changes, hair loss and skin conditions
It might seem strange that a condition which affects a woman's hormone levels can also disrupt their sleep.
But that's precisely what studies have shown.
One academic paper found women with PCOS are up to 10 times more likely to get sleep apnoea.
That 2011 study, authored by an endocrinologist based at the University of Chicago, compared the risk in obese women, who are typically more at risk of the condition – a major cause of snoring.
Sleep apnoea sufferers repeatedly stop breathing during the night.
It can cause disrupted sleep and make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep, says Jodie Relf, a registered dietitian who specialises in helping women in PCOS.
Difficulty sleeping and sleep apnea is both common in women that are overweight and especially if they also have PCOS
Skin tags – different to warts and moles – are soft growths that are usually small and harmless.
They typically grow where skin rubs together, like on your neck and under your arms.
Yet hormonal imbalances driven by PCOS can also trigger their growth, experts say.
'These are small lumps of skin that can develop around the neck, under the arms or along the bra line', says Ms Relf, spokesperson for supplements brand MyOva.
Dark patches of skinAs well as skin tags and acne, PCOS can cause acanthosis nigricans.
'These are dark patches of skin more commonly seen under the arms or around the neck', says Ms Relf.
It is associated with insulin resistance, just like skin tags. The NHS says many PCOS sufferers 'are resistant to the action of insulin in their body' — a hormone that helps mop up sugar from the blood.
Experts say the hormone can
