Skin Conditions | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Three of the most common things people want to get rid of in the beauty industry are excess hair, excess weight and acne. While unwanted hair and carrying a few extra pounds is perfectly normal, excessive hair growth (particularly on the face), acne flare ups and a sudden or a hard to shift weight gain could be a sign of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is actually incredibly common and is so called because sufferers develop cysts on their ovaries, and often effects the menstrual cycle as the syndrome limits the amount of eggs which are released.

What causes PCOS?

PCOS occurs when small, harmless cysts grow on the ovaries. One of the main contributing factors is thought to be a hormonal imbalance, which causes women to produce higher levels of male hormones known as androgens as well as insulin. One of the side effects of producing a higher level of male hormones is that you can also develop acne, grow excess hair and gain weight. Thinning hair is another side effect of PCOS. It is also thought that genetics play a role, as PCOS often runs in families.

Who can get PCOS?

The NHS estimates that one in five women suffer from PCOS, so it is a very common condition.

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