If you’re living with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), your condition may affect your appearance in multiple ways. Understanding the physical symptoms of PMOS helps you come to terms with changes in your appearance and seek effective ways to improve confidence in how you look.
Your emotional well-being and your sense of confidence in your appearance and physicality matter to board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Mary Grace Bridges and the team of gynecology experts at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, located in Odessa, Texas. In this blog, we go over six ways that PMOS may have impacted how you look, what causes these aspects of your condition, and what you can do to reclaim confidence in your body.
PMOS involves problems with the hormones that trigger your ovulation, the monthly release of an egg from an ovary. Often, people with PMOS struggle with infertility. But that’s not the only part of your hormonal health that can be impacted by your condition.
Ovarian cysts that develop as a result of PMOS can disrupt your androgen hormone levels. Women with PMOS often have elevated androgen levels. Often, this results in unwanted body hair growth, or hirsutism. You may grow extra body hair on your chest, back, or stomach.
The best way to reduce the hassle of your unwanted body hair may be a cosmetic treatment like laser hair removal or electrolysis. That way, you aren’t dealing with the bother of frequent shaving or the irritation of regular waxing, but you can enjoy feeling more comfortable in your skin.
The oversupply of androgen hormones experienced by many women with PMOS can also result in thinning hair or male pattern baldness. You may find that you want to use hair growth shampoo or hair stimulation treatments on your scalp, at the same time that you’re using cosmetic treatments to reduce unwanted body hair in other areas.
Your hormones impact the condition of your skin – that’s why it’s so common for teenagers going through hormonal changes to develop pimples and acne. But for people with PMOS, dealing with oily skin and acne can become a lifelong struggle.
If you’re frustrated by chronic acne or painful cystic acne breakouts, talk to Dr. Bridges about the best way to tame and support your skin. You may need to consult with a dermatologist. Today’s anti-acne treatments, including laser acne treatment, are increasingly effective at getting rid of breakouts and restoring your skin’s smooth, even texture.
Have you ever had a skin tag? One or two isn’t much of an issue, but if skin tags keep appearing on your neck, chest, or armpits, you could absolutely start to feel frustrated with this PMOS symptom.
While there’s no cure for PMOS-related skin tags, you can seek to have them professionally removed as they develop. This minimizes your risk of scarring and helps to keep your skin clear and even.
Another skin change that can result from PMOS involves areas of darkened or thickened skin, medically known as acanthosis nigricans. This darkened skin often shows up under your breasts, in your armpits, or on the back of your neck, but can even appear on your face.
It’s important to check your blood sugar levels if you notice this symptom, as it may indicate that your PMOS has triggered insulin resistance and that you’re at risk of developing diabetes.
Weight gain is a common symptom of PMOS, one that causes significant distress for many people with this condition. PMOS also makes it more likely for weight gain to accumulate most in your abdominal area, where it can present real health challenges, increasing your risk of diabetes and heart disease, as well as damaging your self-esteem.
Because of your endocrine condition, you may find weight loss more challenging than expected. Ask for Dr. Bridges’ advice and support on managing your weight, and benefit from professional guidance around diet, exercise, and other weight loss treatment options.
It takes attention to manage PMOS, but with the right care, you can thrive despite this health condition and feel comfortable and confident in your body.
Contact Women's Health Partners of the Permian Basin online or over the phone now and schedule your appointment today.
