5 Ways PCOS Can Affect Your Physical Appearance

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a surprisingly common problem that affects as many as 15% of women of child-bearing age, causing an array of symptoms that can take a toll on you physically and emotionally. While many women know PCOS is associated with irregular periods and fertility issues, the cosmetic effects of the disease are less well known.

Jacob Simhaee, MD, is skilled in helping women manage PCOS so they can enjoy better health and improved self-confidence and self-esteem. To mark PCOS Awareness Month, Dr. Simhaee and his team offer this list of five PCOS symptoms that affect a woman’s appearance — and could indicate you have polycystic ovary syndrome.

1. Weight gain

PCOS causes hormonal imbalances that can make it more difficult to burn calories and lose weight. In fact, many women with PCOS also have metabolic syndrome, a collection of medical conditions including increased belly fat, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.

PCOS is also associated with insulin resistance, a condition that makes it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar (glucose). When your body has higher levels of insulin, it can’t regulate blood sugar effectively, increasing your risk of type 2 diabetes while leading to excess fat storage.

Weight gain can take a toll on your self-confidence, and it also elevates your risks for several serious medical conditions, including heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, and even some types of cancer.

2. Unwanted hair growth

In PCOS, your ovaries produce high levels of androgens, sometimes referred to as “male hormones.” Overproduction of androgens leads to excess hair growth on your face, chest, back, and other areas, a condition known as hirsutism.

Not surprisingly, excess hair can cause considerable issues with health esteem, especially when it occurs in visible areas, like your face. Many women with PCOS must consistently use hair removal methods to keep unwanted hair under control.

3. Acne

Extra androgens also increase sebum (oil) production in your skin, clogging your pores and triggering bacterial growth. That’s why many women with PCOS also struggle with acne breakouts that can be more persistent and more severe than “regular” acne. 

Many women with PCOS develop cystic acne, a deep type of acne that’s harder to clear up and more likely to cause scars. PCOS is also frequently associated with low-grade inflammation, another factor associated with acne breakouts.

4. Thinning hair

While PCOS triggers excess hair growth in areas like the face and back, hair growth on your scalp can slow down, leading to thinning. Some women with PCOS develop a pattern of balding called male-pattern baldness as a result of excess androgen circulating in their blood.

These androgens act on hair follicles on your scalp, miniaturizing the follicles so they produce thinner, finer hair or no hair at all. Thinning hair is another reason why women with PCOS tend to feel more self-conscious about the way they appear.

5. Thick or dark skin patches

Some women with PCOS develop darker or thicker patches of skin, a condition called acanthosis nigricans. Though it’s less common than the other issues on this list, it can still cause considerable issues with self-esteem.

Thick or discolored patches are more common in the folds and creases of your skin, like your underarm area, groin, neck, and under your breasts. Acanthosis nigricans is a “side effect” of insulin resistance, developing when excess insulin triggers development of skin cells and melanin.

Learn how to manage your PCOS symptoms

The type and severity of PCOS symptoms can vary from one woman to another, underscoring the need for truly personalized treatment. To learn how we can help you manage your PCOS symptoms, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Simhaee and his team at his Manhasset and Forest Hills, New York, practice today.