Posted date on Sep 29, 2021
Skin Care in PCOS - Frequently Asked Questions
PCOS or Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common condition that women suffer from today. One out of 5 women in India seem to be suffering from this condition. The internet is therefore bombarded with information and PCOS seems to be the hot favourite topic for content creators irrespective of their expertise on this subject. This blog is my attempt to do away with the misinformation floating around PCOS and help you better in taking care of your skin related woes due to PCOS.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects the endocrine and reproductive systems of women causing enlarged ovaries and forming small cysts on the outer edges.
How do I know if I have PCOS?
It is extremely important to be aware of this condition and look for signs within the body as the hormones create havoc and induce certain side-effects on it. It is important to get help early and start treating yourself effectively. The most common symptoms one may notice with PCOS are irregular periods, excess hair growth or hirsutism, skin insulin resistance, weight gain, acne, patches of dark skin on the back of your neck or other areas (acanthosis nigricans) anxiety and depression.
What should I do if I have PCOS?
The first thing to do is relax and take a deep breath. PCOS is nothing to stress about. For effective management of your PCOS please consult your gynaecologist to help you find the right medication for your fluctuating hormones. Your skin and hair woes due to the hormonal side effects may seem controllable but you must seek medical attention from a dermatologist near you for your PCOS induced hair and skin troubles.
What are the common skin problems from PCOS?
While different women may have different troubles and symptoms, the most common skin problems faced by women are acne, hirsutism, pigmentation and hairfall.
What is hirsutism?
Hirsutism is the growth of excessive hair on different parts of the body due to the spike in the male hormones in the body called androgen.
The most troublesome growth being on the chin and upper lip. The thickness and coarseness of the growth of hair may vary and it can also occur on the chest, back or navel.
What is acne?
Acne is caused due to opening of the hair follicles due to excess of secretion in the sebaceous gland and otherwise in lay terms known as oily skin.
Hormonal acne is the most irritating concern on the face and can be found in the form of blackheads, pustules or nodular and cystic acne.
What is pigmentation?
Dark areas of skin fold on the neck, underarms and inner thighs are acanthosis nigricans that develop in the body due to high insulin levels and cause hyperpigmentation marks which are very embarrassing.
Hair fall
Hormonal hair fall which leads to clumps of hair falling from the head causing hairline to recede and central baldness.
Can lifestyle changes help reverse the problems?
PCOS cannot be reversed but controlled effectively with lifestyle changes. Eating healthy food, exercising regularly, sleeping on time and de-stressing are the easiest way to keep PCOS under control.
What are the treatments for the above mentioned skin problems?
Visit a dermatologist to find the most effective treatment for your skin condition as the one size fits all approach doesn’t work in PCOS. Each body and their reactions are different, therefore it is advisable to consult a dermatologist who will offer a combination of treatment from oral medicines, ointments, medicated oils to lifestyle changes and suggest a daily skin care regime.
Please do not self diagnose these conditions with DIY hair remedies and wait for the skin conditions to worsen before seeking an expert help. For expert advice from the best dermatologist in Bangalore, please book an appointment by visiting my website www.divyasharma.in
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