What are the First Signs of PCOS?
What are the First Signs of PCOS? You may have noticed that you’re breaking out more than usual, your skin is oilier, and your periods are getting more unpredictable. Your hair may also be growing coarser and thicker in unusual places, like your face, chest, or back. Or maybe you’re having trouble getting to your ideal weight.
What we outlined above are some of the most common PCOS symptoms, and we know it can be incredibly frustrating to go through all these changes. Whether you’ve already gotten a formal diagnosis from your doctor or are just starting to learn more about what’s going on in your body, we’re here to help.
In this blog, we will discuss the first signs of PCOS, as well as more subtle signs that you may miss. As they say, knowledge is key—so knowing what to expect and what causes these symptoms can definitely help you support your body better and manage your PCOS symptoms.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a condition that affects several bodily functions and is not just confined to the ovaries. Because PCOS is a syndrome, it is characterized by a group of symptoms and is not a singular disease.
Contrary to popular belief, not all women with PCOS have ovarian cysts. In fact, despite its name, the “cysts” in PCOS women are actually underdeveloped follicles or “baby eggs” that have failed to mature and result in ovulation because of hormonal imbalances.
A lot of PCOS symptoms are primarily related to the production of excess androgens, or male hormones like testosterone, in the body. These hormones cause PCOS symptoms like acne, irregular periods, excess facial hair, and more—to flare up.
Because excess androgens can mess up the hormonal balance, a woman with PCOS may find that her cycle is much longer, usually 35 days or more. Her periods may also be irregular. Aside from identifying visible polycystic ovaries via an ultrasound, PCOS may also be diagnosed based on blood tests and physical exams.
There are also four root causes or PCOS subtypes that may vary across individuals with PCOS. In some cases, one may have a combination of two or three root causes. Finding out one’s root causes is crucial in unlocking ways to address the unique combination of symptoms tied to each root cause. The four subtypes are:
Insulin-resistant PCOS: The majority of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, resulting in an overproduction of androgens by the ovaries as a reaction to high levels of insulin in the blood
Post-pill PCOS: Women who have been prescribed birth control to address PCOS symptoms may often find that once they get off the pill, symptoms can flare up due to a surge of androgens in the body
Inflammatory PCOS: Chronic low-grade inflammation from allergies, intolerances, infections, and gut issues may also cause PCOS symptoms to worsen
Adrenal PCOS: The adrenal glands may abnormally respond to high stress levels by secreting a potent form of androgen called DHEA-s, which can exacerbate PCOS symptoms
Recognizing the Early Signs of PCOS
A formal PCOS diagnosis can be made by a medical professional after administering specific tests and exams to check for certain markers and indications of the syndrome. However, if you suspect that you may have PCOS or have been newly diagnosed but don’t quite know what to expect—here are some of the early signs of PCOS:
1. Irregular Menstrual Cycles
The hormonal imbalances in your body can cause ovulation issues and may lead to irregular cycles or missing periods. The high levels of androgens and insulin in the blood can disrupt your monthly cycle so that instead of the usual 28-day cycle, you may notice that your menstrual cycles are either shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days. If you miss periods altogether, having eight or fewer menstrual cycles yearly, it could also be a sign of ovulation issues.
2. Excessive Hair Growth (Hirsutism)
Hirsutism, or excessive hair growth in areas where coarse, thick hair doesn’t usually grow, could also be a sign of PCOS. The typically fine hairs on the chin, upper lip, belly, breasts, chest, back, and inner thighs are sensitive to hormones. So, when these thin hairs change into darker, longer, and coarser hair, they may indicate higher levels of testosterone in the blood.
3. Acne and Skin Issues
The prevalence of skin issues in women with PCOS has been proven by researchers, with acne being the most common one. Other skin problems like oily skin, skin patches, stretch marks, and skin tags may also be noticed. This is because of the high levels of androgen in the body, abnormal insulin levels, stress hormones, inflammation, and thyroid imbalances.
4. Weight Gain
Women with unmanaged PCOS symptoms may find it difficult to lose weight despite exercising and eating healthy food. If you notice the scale going up despite all your efforts to stay fit, it can be a sign that something is amiss with regard to your hormones. The good news is that managing symptoms tied to your PCOS root cause can also help you shed unwanted weight.
5. Fertility Issues
Because PCOS can affect ovulation, some women trying to conceive with PCOS may find that they have fertility issues. This is usually a sign that PCOS symptoms are unmanaged and that the body can benefit from supplements and habits that support your natural fertility. While widely believed, it’s not true that PCOS automatically makes you infertile. Falling pregnant is definitely possible, even with PCOS, especially if you’ve managed your symptoms.
Other Subtle, Less Obvious Early Signs of PCOS
There are also less obvious PCOS symptoms that people may not readily associate with the condition. However, if you observe the following signs alongside other PCOS symptoms like acne, hirsutism, and weight gain, there’s a good chance that they’re also PCOS-related.
1. Hair Loss and Thinning (Alopecia)
Just like the hair follicles in the face, chest, and back are hormone-sensitive, the hair follicles in your scalp are equally sensitive. However, instead of growing from fine to coarse, the follicle dies, and hair falls out once testosterone is converted into a more potent form called DHT. For this reason, some women dealing with unmanaged PCOS may notice male-patter hair thinning or baldness.
2. Sleep Disturbances
It’s easy to blame poor sleep on a million other things, but PCOS may actually make it more difficult to fall (and stay) asleep. The hormonal dysregulation caused by the condition affects your circadian rhythm, so you often find yourself wide awake at night and groggy the following day. Many of us reach for caffeine to get by, which can, unfortunately, worsen sleep problems.
Additionally, a sleep breathing disorder called sleep apnea is also common with PCOS. Poor sleep negatively impacts all PCOS root causes, as sleep is crucial to health. Not only does sleep deprivation make you feel tired, but it also has the following consequences:
Reduced insulin sensitivity
Increased stress hormones
Higher inflammation
Intense sugar and carbohydrate cravings for energy
3. Mood Swings, Anxiety, and Depression
Research shows that individuals with PCOS are three times more likely to experience anxiety and depression than those without PCOS for several reasons:
Symptoms like hirsutism, acne, weight gain, and fertility issues may cause significant distress and feelings of anxiety and frustration
Insulin resistance may also increase the risk of depression and anxiety due to concurrent hormonal changes
Those with PCOS may have lower levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin (the “happy” hormone), which is associated with positive feelings
Taking Action: First Steps After Recognizing Symptoms
Learning about all these symptoms can be overwhelming, so it’s important to remember that managing your PCOS symptoms is definitely possible. While dealing with new and unpleasant symptoms can make you feel a lack of control over your health and body, know that there are certain steps you can take toward healing your root cause and feeling better.
1. Lifestyle Modifications
There are many healthy habits you can start incorporating into your daily life to support your health and improve your symptoms. Things like finding time to meditate and manage stress, sticking to an exercise plan that you enjoy, and limiting alcohol and caffeine can actually do wonders for your PCOS.
Caffeine, for example, may be an all-too-familiar stimulant for those of us with PCOS as a lot of us deal with fatigue and sleep deprivation. However, excess caffeine can increase your stress hormones and adrenaline levels, which can be detrimental, especially if you have adrenal PCOS.
Alcohol, on the other hand, raises inflammation and affects egg quality, so it’s not a good idea to consume a lot of alcohol especially if you’re looking to support your fertility.
As for health-boosting habits, mindful practices like meditation, yoga, journaling, or enjoying nature—can do wonders for your cortisol levels and, in turn, benefit your whole body by reducing stress-related PCOS symptoms.
Finding ways to move your body in a sustainable, enjoyable way is also the key to kicking a lot of PCOS symptoms to the curb and losing weight naturally. Again, finding your root cause is crucial because you don’t want to over exercise if you’re already dealing with overworked adrenals. You’ll want to find a sweet spot that benefits both your mind and body and thus reduces inflammation, lowers stress, and improves insulin sensitivity.
2. Dietary Changes
Healing your PCOS symptoms also requires being mindful of what and how you eat. You don’t have to deprive yourself, rather, you’ll find that when you eat certain foods at the right time and in the ideal amounts, you can support your body better. How you eat breakfast, for instance, is a good first step.
Instead of loading up on carbs and sugar from cereal or bread, try having a protein-packed meal (lean meat, eggs, fish, tofu, etc.) paired with non-starchy veggies like kale, spinach, or cauliflower. You can whip up a quick meal or make a smoothie from quality protein powder and some greens. This will stabilize your blood sugar levels and make you feel fuller. (Read: No more “hangry” episodes before lunch!)
Perfecting the PCOS Plate Method is also an excellent way to learn to eat intuitively without obsessively measuring your calories. Here’s how it looks:
Fill up ¼ of your plate with a quality protein like fish, tofu, lean meat, or eggs
Fill ¼ with “gentle starches” that won’t spike your blood sugar, like quinoa, buckwheat, rice, sweet potato, or oats
Load up ½ with non-starchy vegetables such as leafy greens
Use healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, nut butters, and coconut milk to dress your meals or for cooking
3. The Importance of Natural Supplements
Supplements are also beneficial as vitamins and minerals help support bodily functions and improve PCOS symptoms. For example, Inositol in a 40:1 ratio mimics naturally occurring Inositol in the body and can help with insulin resistance, acne, and egg health. Magnesium is an all-around supplement that can reduce inflammation and restore hormone balance, while Omega-3 also lowers inflammation and improves insulin sensitivity.
Understanding the Long-Term Implications of Untreated PCOS
Unmanaged PCOS can lead to developing more severe conditions over time, so it’s important to address your root cause and restore balance to your hormones to ensure that everything is working smoothly. PCOS is definitely manageable with proper care, and it’s always something you can get started on regardless of where you are in your PCOS journey.
It’s also crucial to understand, though, that if left untreated, an individual with PCOS may be at a higher risk of developing the following:
Hypertension
Diabetes Mellitus
Dyslipidemia
Metabolic Syndrome
Visceral Obesity
Cardiovascular Diseases
Endometrial Cancer
The Nourished Natural Health Advantage
At Nourished Natural Health, we believe in supporting PCOS naturally through carefully formulated and well-researched supplements designed to address PCOS root causes. It’s been scientifically proven that supplements do support critical pathways in the body, as well as processes that affect PCOS, like insulin signaling, insulin resistance, and fat metabolism.
Through science-backed formulations, our supplements are proven safe and effective and have helped more than 40,000 happy cysters take back control of their lives and bodies. Our community of women, our Cysterhood, is a safe space where you can connect with like-minded individuals on the same path as you.
Discover Our Best-Selling Products
Not sure where to get started? These are our best-selling products for a reason: They’re safe, effective, and are designed to work well with other supplements to address your unique root cause:
Nourished Androgen Blocker Plus For PCOS: Our top-selling vegan blend is designed to support healthy androgen levels and restore hormone balance. Say goodbye to pesky symptoms like acne and hirsutism while supporting your metabolism.
Cycle Regulate + Ovulate: 40:1 Myo & D-Chiro Inositol: A 40:1 blend of Myo-Inositol and D-Chiro Inositol has been researched as the most effective ratio for PCOS weight and insulin management.
PCOS Blood Sugar Balance: Support healthy weight and insulin levels, and restore your period naturally by improving insulin sensitivity through our blood sugar balance supplement.
Nourished Period + PMS Repair: Designed to support hormone balance, healthy cycles, and reduce PMS symptoms, this blend can also help reduce PCOS symptoms like acne.