Girl Power with Kiarra Pearcy: Recognizing the Symptoms of PCOS and Understanding Ovarian Cysts

One of the biggest things I took away from our conversation was how many symptoms women might overlook or simply assume are normal. When I asked Kiarra what women should be watching for, she explained that irregular menstrual cycles are one of the most common warning signs. Some women with PCOS may go three or six months without a period, while others may go considerably longer. Other symptoms can include excessive facial or body hair, persistent cystic acne, thinning hair on the scalp, and difficulty managing weight. Kiarra explained that women experiencing dark, coarse hair growth on their chin, upper lip, chest, stomach, or thighs may be showing signs of elevated androgen levels. She also pointed out that while hormonal acne is common during adolescence, women who continue experiencing deep, painful acne along their jawline into adulthood may want to have their hormone levels evaluated. Another symptom that surprised me was hair loss. Some women with PCOS experience thinning hair near the crown of their head, similar to male-pattern hair loss. Kiarra also discussed how women with PCOS experience higher rates of anxiety and depression, along with an association between PCOS and lower vitamin D levels. During our discussion about symptoms, Kiarra also explained something interesting about ovarian cysts. Despite being part of the condition’s name, having an ovarian cyst doesn’t automatically mean a woman has PCOS. Functional ovarian cysts are actually a normal part of the menstrual cycle. Follicles develop as the body prepares to release an egg, and certain types of cysts can form naturally during this process. Many resolve on their own without treatment. Kiarra explained that sometimes cysts are discovered accidentally during imaging for an unrelated medical concern. Other types of cysts may require additional monitoring depending on their size, appearance, and associated symptoms. The important thing to understand is that not every ovarian cyst is abnormal, and not every woman with PCOS has polycystic ovaries. Experiencing one of these symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you have PCOS, but it may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider.