Many women with PCOS gain weight around their abdomen, taking on an apple shape rather than a pear shape. Such weight gain is linked with imbalances of glucose and insulin in the body.

The high levels of excess insulin seen with PCOS can stimulate the ovaries to produce large amounts of the male hormone testosterone, which can possibly prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg each month, thus causing infertility. Because women with PCOS don’t have regular menstrual cycles, many are unable to become pregnant. With help, however, many PCOS sufferers conceive.

For most PCOS sufferers, hair in the mustache and beard areas becomes heavier and darker. This can be difficult for many woman.

Just as heavier hair growth is possible, so is the type of hair thinning that many men experience. This is caused in women by higher levels of androgens.

Pimples and oily skin can bother women with PCOS.

Skin tags (thick lumps of skin) can form as a result of PCOS. Darkening and thickening of the skin can also occur around the neck, groin, underarms or skin folds.

Many women with PCOS may find themselves more anxious or depressed by their appearance or their inability to become pregnant. Depression can also be caused by hormone problems.