PCOS―When Excess Male Hormones ‘Messes’ A Woman Up

The month of September has specifically been set aside as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) awareness month but unfortunately not many women in Ghana are aware of this, talk-less of what the PCOS condition is about.

For this reason, the Health Desk at the PUBLISHER, last week, began a series on the disease.

Having looked at PCOS and its causes, our resource person, Ms. Cindy Ofori–Appiah, a Public Health Nurse (PHN) with the Ghana Health Service (GHS)will in this edition, take us through some symptoms of the condition.

Symptoms of PCOS

Ms Ofori-Appiah said the signs and symptoms of PCOS often develop around the time of a victim’s first menstrual period― during puberty adding that it could also develop later.

“When a woman has infrequent, irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles, it could be a warning sign,” she said.

Last week, Ms Ofori-Appiah had established that women with PCOS create a higher than average level of Androgens.

She explained that Androgens are normally present in both sexes, but typically are considered “male hormones.”

The PHN therefore noted that, elevated levels of male hormone may result in physical signs, such as excess facial and body hair (hirsutism), and occasionally, severe acne and hair loss from the scalp and thinning of the hair.

“As a woman when you start growing hair on your face, chest, back stomach, thumbs or on your toes, then your ovaries may be speaking to you.

“You could also have unexplainable abdominal pains and increase in the abdominal size and eventually obesity could set in. When a woman begins to grow a pot belly, she must act fast,” Ms Ofori Appiah advised.

She continued: “When you begin to develop a darkening of the skin, mainlyaround neck creases, in the groin,underneath the breasts or armpits, it could also be a warning sign.”

The PHN further indicated that skin tags―which are small excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area could also be an underlying symptom.

In our next edition, The PUBLISHER would take its readers through other complications that are associated with PCOS.

The Resource Person, Ms. Ofori-Appiah has taken it upon herself to embark on a massive campaign that would offer a way out for people living with the condition.

By: Grace Ablewor Sogbey/ [email protected]