Does PCOS cause dark neck?

Author: Cheyenne Tillman DDS  |  Last update: Monday, December 22, 2025

In people with polycystic ovary syndrome, skin in the armpits, on the nape of the neck, and in skinfolds may become dark and thick (a disorder called acanthosis nigricans). In dark-skinned people, the skin may have a leathery appearance (bottom photo).

How to get rid of dark neck from PCOS?

‍How To Remove Pigmentation Due To PCOS. Here are ways you can address PCOS skin discoloration. If the extent of your PCOS hyperpigmentation is not great, you could try at-home products from the drugstore that contain ingredients like: vitamin C, azelaic acid, kojic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and niacinamide.

Can PCOS affect your neck?

Too much insulin might cause your body to make too much of the male hormone androgen. You could have trouble with ovulation, the process where eggs are released from the ovary. One sign of insulin resistance is dark, velvety patches of skin on the lower part of the neck, armpits, groin or under the breasts.

What color is your neck with PCOS?

Sometimes, PCOS causes acanthosis nigricans, a condition that makes patches of skin noticeably darker and velvety. The patches are usually in areas where your skin creases or folds, like your armpits, neck, and groin.

Does hormonal imbalance cause dark neck?

Hormonal Imbalances: Fluctuations in hormones, particularly during pregnancy or due to certain medical conditions, can trigger Dark Neck. Obesity: Excess weight can lead to skin folds, providing an environment for friction and increased melanin production.

Can PCOS cause darkening of skin? | Explains Dr. Theertha Shetty

What are the symptoms of low estrogen?

Changes in estrogen levels
  • Hot flashes, flushes, and night sweats are the most common symptoms of low estrogen. At times, blood rushes to your skin's surface. ...
  • Mood swings are another effect of low estrogen. You may feel sad, anxious, or frustrated. ...
  • Thinning tissues may cause discomfort. Skin may appear more wrinkled.

What does a PCOS belly look like?

It's usually large and bloated but can also be small and round, depending on genes and other factors. It involves visceral fat accumulation in the lower abdomen and typically feels hard to touch. A PCOS belly is also characterized by a high waist-to-hip ratio of >0.87 (apple body shape).

What is commonly mistaken for PCOS?

Ovarian cysts and PCOS are related conditions with many of the same symptoms, meaning that women often confuse the two, or wrongly believe that they have PCOS when they do not.

What are PCOS skin features?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women, affecting 5–10% of reproductive-aged women. The dermatologic manifestations of hyperandrogenism, chiefly hirsutism, acne vulgaris, androgenic alopecia, and acanthosis nigricans, are among the cardinal manifestations of PCOS.

What is the biggest symptom of PCOS?

Common symptoms of PCOS include:
  • irregular periods or no periods at all.
  • difficulty getting pregnant (because of irregular ovulation or no ovulation)
  • excessive hair growth (hirsutism) – usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks.
  • weight gain.
  • thinning hair and hair loss from the head.
  • oily skin or acne.

What is the best age to get pregnant with PCOS?

Best age to get pregnant with PCOS

The best time for women with PCOS to get pregnant is before they turn 30. It's possible to conceive up to the age of 37, but fertility declines after the age of 32 with steeper decline occurring after age 37.

How do you get rid of PCOS neck hair?

Home remedies
  1. Shaving: This is the most common method of hair removal. It's simple and safe, but you must shave regularly to prevent stubble. ...
  2. Bleaching: Bleaching products lighten unwanted hair. ...
  3. Waxing and plucking (tweezing): Waxing or using tweezers to remove hair from the root is effective but painful.

Does PCOS affect the neck?

Obesity: Between 40% and 80% of people with PCOS have obesity and have trouble maintaining a weight that's healthy for them. Darkening of the skin: You may get patches of dark skin, especially in the folds of your neck, armpits, groin (between the legs) and under your breasts. This is known as acanthosis nigricans.

What are the four stages of PCOS?

What Are The Four Types of PCOs?
  • Insulin-Resistant PCOS. This is the most common type of PCOS, characterized by insulin resistance. ...
  • Inflammatory PCOS. Low-grade inflammation is a hallmark of this type of PCOS. ...
  • Hidden-Cause PCOS. In this type, the underlying cause of PCOS is not immediately apparent. ...
  • Pill-Induced PCOS.

Why is my neck dark?

The cause may be as simple as sun exposure. It is not contagious and is generally benign (not harmful), but it may be a sign of an underlying health condition. Common causes include acanthosis nigricans, dermatitis neglecta, and drug-induced hyperpigmentation. Treatments for dark neck vary depending on the cause.

What is the life expectancy of a person with PCOS?

Recent studies have shown that women who were diagnosed as having PCOS 30 years ago have a completely normal life expectancy. An inspection of more than 700 death certificates from women with PCOS has shown that there is no excess risk of cancer in any organ or of heart disease.

Why do doctors ignore PCOS?

"It's such a complex condition that presents differently from person to person. "Women's health does not have enough prioritisation, time and investment in education. "During medical training, women's health topics are often underserved and that's a problem that results in delayed diagnosis."

Do I have Cushing's or PCOS?

In CS, signs of hypercortisolism predominate, while in PCOS, signs of hyperandrogenism predominate the clinical situation. Among the clinical findings, hirsutism, obesity, acne, alopecia, striae, menstrual irregularities, insulin resistance, and depression are findings that are common to CS and PCOS.

What does PCOS discharge look like?

Symptoms: there are no noticeable symptoms in around half of women with the condition, and there is usually no vaginal soreness or itching. Symptoms may include a greyish-white, thin and watery vaginal discharge with a strong fishy smell, especially after sex.

What age does PCOS start?

Signs and symptoms of PCOS usually begin around the time of puberty, although some females do not develop symptoms until late adolescence or even into early adulthood. Because hormonal changes vary from one female to another, patients with PCOS may have mild to severe acne, facial hair growth, or scalp hair loss.

What does a low estrogen face look like?

Low estrogen skin tends to be thinner, showing more visible blemishes and wrinkles. Low estrogen skin also has lower collagen reserves. Collagen is the naturally occurring protein that keeps your skin looking smooth and full.

What drink increases estrogen?

Red Wine and the Risk of Breast Cancer

Doctors determined long ago that alcohol increases the body's estrogen levels, fostering the growth of cancer cells.

What are signs of low progesterone?

What are the signs of low progesterone?
  • Irregular menstrual periods.
  • Headaches.
  • Difficulty conceiving.
  • Mood changes, anxiety or depression.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Hot flashes.
  • Bloating or weight gain.

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