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'My longest period lasted over six months - it puts my life on hold'

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common yet complex condition that affects hormone levels and how a woman's ovaries work. Here are some essential facts about the condition

PCOS can cause a whole host of different symptoms, from heavy periods to acne (Image: GETTY) PCOS dietician Jodie Relf, who also represents MyOva (myovacare.com), lists the most common symptoms as, "Facial acne around the jaw, irregular cycles, excess hair growth around the jaw, top lip, chest, back and stomach, fatigue, carbohydrate cravings, difficulty sleeping, weight gain around the abdomen, difficulty conceiving and skin tags or dark patches on the skin, usually around the armpits, neck and under the breasts." Jodie adds, "It's also important to test for and rule out any other conditions that may cause PCOS-like symptoms, such as premature ovarian failure, hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinaemia." As for treatment, Jodie shares that "standard advice from healthcare professionals includes losing weight, or using a hormonal contraceptive or diabetes medicine Metformin."

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