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asking for a friend: is my weight gain and acne a sign of pcos?

part of the reason pcos is underdiagnosed is the assumption that it is a fertility condition that only causes fertility problems, says fiona mcculloch, a naturopathic doctor in toronto.

by karen hawthorne

sep 6 2022

4 minute read

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most women with polycystic ovary syndrome don't know they have it

polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos) causes higher levels of the hormone androgens, which can lead to acne and irregular periods. getty

dear asking for a friend,

i considered myself a healthy woman in her 30s until i started having a bunch of strange symptoms, like irregular periods, acne, coarse hair on my back and on my chin, and weight gain. my doctor suggested that all of this could be signs of polycystic ovary syndrome.

signed,

worried

dear worried,

the onslaught of unpleasant symptoms like acne, facial hair and unexplained weight gain can do a number on your mental health — especially when you haven’t made any lifestyle changes and no one seems to have any answers on what’s wrong.

plus, women of all ages are up against society’s pressure to look good, so these physical signs can undermine your self-confidence.

polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos) is a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder. one of the most common hormonal conditions in women of reproductive age, it’s also a leading cause of infertility in women, according to pcos challenge: the national polycystic ovary syndrome association , the non-profit patient support and advocacy organization that is advancing the cause for women and girls with pcos.

estimates suggest the disorder affects one in 10 women — although nearly half of women who have pcos don’t know that they have it. it’s a lifelong condition that commonly leads to serious health outcomes like type 2 diabetes, endometrial cancer, liver disease and cardiovascular disease. having obesity along with pcos also increases the risk of related health problems.

“pcos is one of the most critical, under-diagnosed, underfunded and neglected areas of health,” reports pcos challenge, which estimates that 50 to 75 per cent of women with pcos are going undiagnosed.

pcos ups risk of diabetes

according to the centers for disease control and prevention (cdc), more than half of women with pcos will become prediabetic or develop type 2 diabetes by age 40. that’s partly because women with pcos are often insulin resistant, meaning their bodies can make insulin but can’t use it effectively. they also have higher levels of androgens — which are male hormones like testosterone — which can stop eggs from being released and cause irregular menstrual periods, acne, thinning scalp hair, and excess hair growth on the face and body in places that men typically have hair growth.

women diagnosed with pcos are also more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression than people without pcos, reports researchers at the mayo clinic .

“it’s complicated,” says fiona mcculloch , a naturopathic doctor in toronto who specializes in women’s hormonal conditions like pcos. as a woman with pcos, she’s well acquainted with its symptoms, and passionate about health education and advocacy for women who struggle with the condition.

“i was undiagnosed for a long time, despite having basically all the symptoms, the very irregular cycles, cystic acne, hair loss,” she says. “i’m 47 now, so it does improve with age, certain elements of it, but it is a lifelong condition.”

mcculloch says part of the reason pcos is underdiagnosed is the assumption that it is a fertility condition that only causes fertility problems. also, while 70 to 80 per cent of people with pcos are at a higher body mass index, she adds that there are a lot of lean patients who have it, too, and they often get missed: “pcos is not well understood in the medical community.”

and while the exact cause of pcos isn’t known, genetics play a role — mcculloch often sees the condition in mothers and daughters and sisters.

diet and lifestyle is an effective way to manage pcos

the solution to managing the condition, once you know you have it, is less complex, she says. “one of the things with pcos is it does respond really well to diet and lifestyle changes. it’s amazingly effective, especially if there’s insulin resistance.”

mcculloch recommends regular exercise, finding ways to relieve stress, and developing healthy eating habits that limit processed foods and fill your plate with a variety of whole foods, including carbohydrates. and she warns against suggestions found online to follow the popular low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet because it’s not sustainable, nor especially effective for women with pcos.

tips on reversing pcos

she has developed a program and written a book, 8 steps to reverse your pcos , to help women with pcos treat symptoms, conceive and reverse health problems like type 2 diabetes.

mcculloch’s message is mostly about taking action and staying positive.

“don’t lose hope because there is so much you can do. and a lot of the time patients feel like it’s this terrible thing, it’s awful,” she says. “but there are actually some benefits of having pcos — menopause happens a little bit later. you can have babies a little bit later, and you can gain muscle mass more easily.”

karen hawthorne is a toronto-based writer.

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karen hawthorne

karen hawthorne worked for six years as a digital editor for the national post, contributing articles on health, business, culture and travel for affiliated newspapers across canada. she now writes from her home office in toronto as a freelancer, and takes breaks to bounce with her son on the backyard trampoline and walk bingo, her bull terrier.

asking for a friend: is my weight gain and acne a sign of pcos?

part of the reason pcos is underdiagnosed is the assumption that it is a fertility condition that only causes fertility problems, says fiona mcculloch, a naturopathic doctor in toronto.

women in menopause before 40 face risk of heart failure, atrial fibrillation: study

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pcos ups risk of diabetes

diet and lifestyle is an effective way to manage pcos

tips on reversing pcos

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asking for a friend: is my weight gain and acne a sign of pcos?

part of the reason pcos is underdiagnosed is the assumption that it is a fertility condition that only causes fertility problems, says fiona mcculloch, a naturopathic doctor in toronto.

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