Two signs that helped American actress to realise she had PCOS; other common and uncommon signs of PCOS
Keke Palmer realised she has PCOS due to these two conditions
From diet change to increasing water intake, multiple tests to medications, American actress Keke Palmer did everything she was told to manage her acne. Only when nothing seemed to work out, she doubted that the problem was much deeper and affecting her health more severely than what appeared at the surface. When she evaluated other issues she was facing, she realised that she was suffering from PCOS.
In a recent episode of an American talk program, The Tamron Hall Show, the 28-year-old actress spoke about her fight with PCOS, a condition that was misdiagnosed for several years in her case. She revealed that it was her adult acne and beard hair that appeared every other day after shaving, made her dig deeper and she came upon PCOS.
“I kind of discovered that that's what I was dealing with, and it answered a lot of the questions to, not only why I had acne, but why I grow hair on my face or under my chin,” she said on the talk show. “I kind of have a low-key beard going on that I have to shave every couple of days.”
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. In this condition the body produces higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones, leading to hormonal imbalance. The ovaries may develop small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs. There is no test to definitively diagnose PCOS. The condition is generally characterised by missed or irregular periods, which also leads to delayed or misdiagnosis in most cases.
What causes PCOS?
As
per Dr Danny Laliwala, Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, PCOS is caused
by unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits, but certain genes might also
be linked to the condition. "In some cases, the condition runs in the
family. If the mother has PCOS, the daughter is also likely to develop
the condition," he said. At the current time, the condition has become
more prevalent because of the lifestyle habits among the younger
generation.
Studies suggest that women who have insulin resistance are also at risk of developing this condition.
Common symptoms of PCOS
Irregular
menstrual cycle: Missed periods, irregular periods, very light or heavy
periods all are signs of PCOS. Of all delays of a period is witnessed
in most cases, suggests Dr Laliwala.
Bigger ovaries: As per Dr Gauri Agarwal, Gynaecologist, Infertility Expert, Seeds of Innocence, Delhi, hormonal imbalance may also lead to the formation of cysts in the ovaries, which further increases their size. "In some cases, the condition even makes it harder for women to conceive, she added.
Common symptoms of PCOS
Weight gain: Most women suffering from PCOS are either obese or overweight. PCOS and weight gain are directly linked with each other. The higher your weight, the higher the chances of irregular periods and vice versa.
Hair growth and acne: "Excessive hair growth occurs in PCOS patients due to hormonal imbalance. This includes chest, stomach, and back hair. Facial hair on the chin or above the lips is also common," said Dr Agarwal. "The hormonal condition may even cause hair thinning and, in some cases, baldness, '' she added. Besides, acne and oily skin are other prominent signs of the condition.
Uncommon symptoms
Thickening
of skin: Dr Laliwala reveals that thickening of the skin is also
witnessed in some cases of PCOS. "Thick and pigmented skin at the fold
and back of the neck are common," he said. The skin has a rough texture
and velvety appearance. It is generally linked with insulin resistance.
Mood swings and headaches: Irritability and mood swings are also associated with PCOS. Some women feel depressed or anxious or have a headache when suffering from the condition.
Sleep problems: It is witnessed that in some cases, the women suffering from the condition have difficulty in falling asleep, which makes them feel tired the other morning.
Who is at risk?
Data suggest that the condition affects approximately one in every five (20%) Indian women. As per Dr Agarwal, the risk of developing the condition is greater among overweight women due to their poor lifestyle, eating habits, and lack of physical activity. Urban Indian women may be at a higher risk than those living in rural areas. Apart from that, genes also have an important role to play.