You spy: The hair down there starting to grow in a square
What it might mean: If your pubic hair is growing on your thighs and up your belly, forming a more square "rug" shape than a triangular one, you may have polycystic ovary syndrome. Caused by excess male sex hormones, PCOS can spur body-hair growth and disrupt ovulation. "Some women with PCOS don't realize something's wrong until they have trouble conceiving," says Katherine Johnston, M.D., instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
Your next step: PCOS raises insulin levels and could eventually lead to diabetes and heart disease, so see your doctor to have your hormone levels tested. "I might put patients on a diabetes drug," Dr. Johnston says. "It helps lower insulin, in turn balancing sex hormones and restoring regular ovulation and fertility."
Pssst! We found honest answers to your most intimate questions. And we're willing to share!
You spy: Nails that turn white when you press
on them
What it might mean: All nails blanch a bit when
you apply pressure, but if yours stay white for up to a minute, you
may be anemic and low on iron. "Many women, especially those
with heavy periods, can become anemic without even knowing
it," Dr. Johnston says.
Your next step Have your blood's ferritin
levels tested. You may need to eat more iron-rich foods such as
salmon and spinach, but don't take an iron supplement without
your doc's say-so.
20 superfoods for weight loss!
You spy: Desert-dry lips
What it might mean: It's either time to chug
some water or take a closer look at your vitamin A intake. "I
had a young woman who didn't know that she was getting 20,000
international units of vitamin A every day—that's four times
the recommended daily value and approaching the toxic dose of
25,000 IU—from two different supplements," says Carolyn Jacob,
M.D., a dermatologist in Chicago. In healthy amounts, vitamin A is
essential to skin-cell turnover, but too-high levels can sap
moisture and, if you're pregnant, cause birth defects. "It
completely dried out my patient's lips and skin," Dr.
Jacob explains.
Your next step: If you take supplements, check the
labels to make certain you're not taking in more than 5,000 IU
daily; be sure to account for the vitamin A you get from natural
sources such as eggs and fortified milk, too. Soon after you stop
overdosing, your pucker should plump up again. And regardless, down
plenty of water—especially if you work out. Remember, if you feel
thirsty, you're already dehydrated.
You spy: Swollen fingers
What it might mean: Salty snacks and PMS are
obvious bloat culprits, but if you shun the shaker, your period
isn't due for weeks and still your rings are tight, a sluggish
thyroid may be to blame. This condition, called hypothyroidism,
occurs when the gland underproduces the thyroid hormones needed to
regulate metabolism, heart rate and more, says Rebecca Bahn, M.D.,
professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in
Rochester, Minnesota.
Your next step: Don't write off puffiness as
inevitable, Dr. Bahn warns. "Untreated hypothyroidism can lead
to heart disease, and if you're even slightly hypo and get
pregnant, it could affect the baby's brain development." A
blood test can reveal if your thyroid isn't producing enough
hormones; if so, your M.D. may prescribe synthetic hormone pills,
likely for the rest of your life. Once you find the right dose,
your metabolism (and fingers) should return to normal.
Yellow eyelid bumps? Discolored finger nails? See the rest of our subtle signs of illness!
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