How PCOS Affects Your Appearance and What You Can Do About It

As women, we have a few sometimes annoying things we have to experience: periods, childbirth and crazy hormones, just to name a few. PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a condition in which a female's sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, are imbalanced.

But, what causes PCOS and how do you treat it? Keep scrolling to find out more about the common disorder, the symptoms to lookout for and the correct products to use when you're experiencing blemishes as a result of the condition.

1. What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that is common in women of a reproductive age. Women with the disorder might have irregular or longer periods, along with excess male hormones (androgens) which can cause physical symptoms including excess facial or body hair.

The condition causes your ovaries to become enlarged and develop lots of fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs, which results in a failure to regularly release eggs.

2. How common is PCOS and what are the symptoms?

PCOS is a very common condition that affects about 1 in every 10 women in the UK. More than half of these women do not have any symptoms, making the condition very difficult to diagnose. There is no definitive test for PCOS but a series of medical examinations will enable your doctor to give you a diagnosis. To be diagnosed with PCOS you must have two or more symptoms, which include:

Cysts on one or both of the ovaries
Excess hair growth
Acne
Deepening of the voice
Hair thinning
Weight gain
Infertility
Irregular periods
Anxiety or depression

2. What causes PCOS?

This is a question we all ask when faced with medical difficulties but I'm afraid there's no real answer. No one knows the exact cause behind PCOS. Although there is a slight genetic link, you may be diagnosed with PCOS even if no other family member has the condition. You can be diagnosed with Polycystic Ovaries and may never develop further signs leading to the diagnosis of PCOS.

3. Treatment for PCOS

There is no cure for PCOS, however the symptoms can be managed and treated. If you have PCOS and you're overweight, losing weight and eating a healthy, varied and balanced diet can help to make some of the symptoms better. If you are dealing with excess hair growth, fertility problems and irregular periods there are medicines available to help treat these issues if you speak with your GP.

If fertility medicine is ineffective, a surgical procedure called laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) might be suggested. This treatment involves using heat or a laser to destroy any tissue in the ovaries that is producing androgens, such as the hormone testosterone. The good new is that with the correct treatment, most women with PCOS are able to get pregnant and have children.

4. Skincare for PCOS

If you have PCOS and you're dealing with symptoms of acne, there are a number of hydrating and balancing skincare products that will help to combat blemishes. It's important to stick to light, moisturising formulas that won't strip your skin of the essential oils that it needs to stay healthy, as this could aggravate blemishes further. Look for products containing salicylic acid and vitamin A to help gently resurface and exfoliate the skin. Treatments such as Hydrafacial may also help to unblock your pores and minimise breakouts.

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense Serum

Especially created for blemish-prone skin, this targeted, oil-free serum combines salicylic and glycolic acid to help reduce the formation of acne and clogged pores, while also helping to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and hyper-pigmentation for a smooth, refined and radiant appearance.

Medik8 crystal retinal 3

An entry level product for those who are new to vitamin A or have tried mild retinol formulas, this ground breaking cream-serum is suited to all skin types and contains a supercharged derivative of vitamin A which works to promote the skin's natural collagen production, helping to visibly improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while renewing and resurfacing the skin.