Symptoms Of PCOS That Should Urge You To Visit A Gynecologist

Despite how important a woman's reproductive health is, not many people will proactively visit a gynecologist unless they are having trouble conceiving. And while infertility problems tend to be a warning sign of underlying reproductive health issues, you should know that this is not the only complication that you could face. One condition previously underrated but currently affects a large population of women is polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Commonly abbreviated as PCOS, this condition comes about due to severe hormonal imbalances that will lead to reproductive dysfunction. However, the symptoms associated with PCOS can be incredibly ambiguous, so much so that some people do not discern they are dealing with this issue. To ensure you receive the proper diagnosis, here are some symptoms of PCOS that should urge you to visit a gynecologist.

Menstrual Irregularities

Keeping in mind that polycystic ovarian syndrome is caused by a hormonal imbalance, it comes as no surprise that the initial symptoms you may experience are menstrual irregularities. For some people, this could manifest as incredibly heavy menstrual cycles that warrant the use of more menstrual products than usual.

For others, this may result in light periods or, in some cases, a lack of a menstrual cycle. Nonetheless, menstrual irregularities are not uncommon since they can be caused by a wide range of factors such as stress, birth control pills, thyroid problems, and so on. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to see a gynecologist so you can receive an accurate diagnosis.

Dermatological Changes

One thing you may not know about hormonal changes is they do not solely affect your reproductive health. Instead, they can also impact your skin. An uptick in androgen, for example, will cause the oil glands under your skin to swell. Resultantly, the enlarged glands will produce more sebum than normal, and this increase in oil production can block your pores. Hence, you become vulnerable to acne breakouts. 

In addition to this, a spike in estrogen and progesterone will trigger an overproduction of melanin, which makes you vulnerable to melasma. Melasma is a condition characterized by the onset of dark patches on one's skin, particularly under the arms, on the neck, and even on one's groin. Instead of trying to resolve these dermatological irregularities with beauty products, it is imperative that you visit a gynecologist. The gynecologist will carry out hormonal tests to diagnose if PCOS is the underlying cause of these changes.

Check out a site like https://www.centraliowaobgyn.com/ to learn more.