When it comes to illnesses, it becomes necessary to look at several symptoms, over just one. In the case of Polycystic ovary syndrome, there are a variety of issues that come to light. A doctor can determine if the symptoms that a woman has are in relationship to this larger issue, or if they are the result of something else. In some instances, skin tags could be signaling an issue with PCOS, rather than just a benign skin growth.
What Are Skin Tags?
Skin tags are benign growths that come up out of the skin. Friction causes these to form, mainly when dermis and other skin tissue rubs against one another. While most issues related to this are not serious, if they are in relationship to PCOS, then there’s a larger problem at hand. Women that have these issues, will need to see a specialist to consider the bigger problem that it may be signaling.
The main connection here is that the endocrine system takes a hit, and causes hormonal imbalance. That hormonal imbalance could cause insulin resistance, and shifts across the dermis. This same shift in hormones can occur in pregnant women, which is why many pregnant women have skin tags through the months that they are pregnant.
Insulin Resistance
Moving forward, insulin resistance is the main problem that connects PCOS and skin tags. This causes cellular disruption, forcing the body to stall the metabolic rate. That metabolic rate shift causes weight gain, and pre-diabetic symptoms to occur in the body. This can lead to further symptoms within the body, as well as outside. While a woman can start to have skin tags across various areas, there’s further symptoms that need to be recognized as well.
Some of the issues that PCOS can come through include irregular periods, infertility, ovarian cysts, acne, emotional problems, sleep issues, blood pressure increase, and of course skin tags as well. All of these come together to show doctors that something more than just a benign growth on the skin is the matter.
Are Skin Tags Always Showcasing PCOS Symptoms?
Before you or anyone else decides to panic, don’t. PCOS symptoms are a cluster of elements that need to be diagnosed and discussed with a doctor. Do not immediately assume that because you have skin tags, you have an issue with the ovaries or reproductive system as a whole. A wide variety of skin issues may be part of larger problems, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to worry about the larger issue at hand.
If you have any doubt, visit a professional. A health professional can diagnose PCOS outright. In the majority of instances of skin tags, they are not going to pose a threat. They are not cancerous, contagious, and may just be a matter of friction between skin cells due to aging, weight loss, gain, or other issues. However, if there are other symptoms in combination with skin problems, then perhaps it’s time to call a specialist and see whether or not there is a connection with PCOS and the tags that are forming.