A study by Livi revealed that two-thirds of women are unable to identify symptoms. The most common symptoms include: irregular periods, excessive hair growth on the face, chest and abdomen, weight gain and acne.
Acne is the least known symptom of PCOS with a whopping 80 percent of people not acknowledging that it is a sign.
Talking exclusively to Express.co.uk cosmetic doctor and intimate health expert Dr Shirin Lakhani detailed the effects of PCOS on patients both mentally and physically: “Physically PCOS can result in irregular periods or no periods at all, excessive hair growth which is usually on the face, chest back or buttocks, weight gain, thinning hair on the head and oily skin or acne. Mentally though these symptoms should not be underestimated. Plus the impact it can have on people who are trying to get pregnant, can have a very detrimental effect on mental health.”
The exact cause of the condition is unknown but it often runs in families. It is related to abnormal levels of hormones in the body including levels of insulin.