The altered hormone levels caused by polycystic ovary syndrome are likely to affect many body systems. Some will be very obviously affected, while others will be less obvious.
External symptoms include.
(1) Constant growth of hair on the face, chest, back, arms, and legs.
(2) Acne
(3) Weight gain, abdominal fat mass accumulation
(4) Hair loss, baldness
(5) Protruding neck and armpit growths
(6) Darkening of subcutaneous tissue on arms, neck, breasts, and thighs
(7) Smaller breasts
(8) Changes that may occur within the body include
(9) Decreased fertility or even infertility
(10) Irregular periods (cycles become 35 days or even more frequent), and periods occur less frequently (8 times a year or even less)
(11) Increased insulin concentration, or decreased antibodies (leading to an increased chance of diabetes or heart disease)
(12) The onset of diabetes mellitus
(13) High blood pressure
(14) Increased incidence of fatty liver
(15) Increased concentration of triglycerides in the body
(16) Decreased concentration of beneficial cholesterol in the body
(17) Decrease in the thickness of the uterine wall. As a result, the incidence of uterine cancer increases
(18) Enlargement of the ovaries, and in some women, ovarian cysts may become more numerous.
There are many other causes of irregular menstruation (e.g., irregular thyroid secretion, poor diet, illness, stress, excessive exercise, etc.). This makes a thorough examination of female reproductive health even more necessary.