If you’ve noticed small, bright red bumps appearing on your skin—perhaps on your torso, arms, or even your face—and you’re wondering what they are and whether they’re connected to your PCOS, you aren’t alone. Many people with PCOS see these distinctive red spots and feel concerned about what they might mean.
These spots are called cherry angiomas, and while they’re benign, I wanted to talk to you about what the research actually tells us (although it’s not as much as you might hope). The science indicates that genetic changes in skin cells primarily drive them, though hormonal shifts may play a supporting role in some cases. Let me share what we know about why they happen and what you can do about them.
What Are Cherry Angiomas?
Cherry angiomas are benign overgrowths of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that cluster together just beneath your skin’s surface.
They typically start as flat, bright red macules (small coloured spots) and can grow into small, dome-shaped papules ranging from 1 to 3.5 millimetres. The red or purple colour comes from dilated blood vessels beneath the skin, which is why they may bleed if irritated by clothing or friction.
Here’s what’s important to understand: these spots are not cancerous and don’t transform into skin cancer, though they share some genetic characteristics with other vascular lesions. They’re simply a variation in how your skin cells are behaving in that particular spot.
Why Cherry Angiomas Happen
The Genetic Story
The strongest scientific evidence points to genetic changes inside the cells that line your blood vessels. About half of all cherry angiomas contain specific mutations—changes in genes called GNAQ and GNA11—that occur randomly in individual skin cells. These mutations cause cells to receive faulty signals that tell blood vessels to grow and dilate when they shouldn’t, creating the characteristic red bumps we see on the skin.
Think of it like a typo in the instruction manual that tells blood vessels how to behave. The typo happens by chance in that one spot on your skin, which is why cherry angiomas appear randomly rather than all over. These genetic changes activate signalling pathways in cells (particularly MAPK pathways) that disrupt normal vascular development.
Ageing
Also known as Campbell de Morgan spots, cherry angiomas are remarkably common. They increase in both number and size as we age. Appearing in approximately 7% of adolescents, by our twenties, up to four in ten people have at least one. That jumps up to 75% of adults over 75. The ageing process likely contributes through the accumulation of these random genetic mutations over time and degenerative changes in blood vessels. This explains why they’re much more common in older adults than in teenagers—it’s simply that our cells have had more time to accumulate these random changes.
The Hormonal Connection: What We Know About PCOS
Here’s where the research gets a little murkier, and I want to be honest with you about what we know and what we don’t. While the genetic story is strongest, some people notice cherry angiomas appearing during times of hormonal change.
Case reports have documented cherry angiomas appearing during pregnancy and perimenopause, times of significant hormonal shifts. Some practitioners have observed associations between cherry angiomas and oestrogen dominance patterns that can occur in PCOS.
What we have is primarily based on case series and observational reports rather than controlled studies, and decades of clinical expertise matter. The hypothesised mechanism involves immune modulation or hormonal changes affecting blood vessel growth, but we don’t yet have strong mechanistic data proving causation.
Chiropractor, Osteopath and health expert, Dr. Frank Marcellino, believes these red skin spots could be a telltale sign you’re suffering from the oestrogen dominance typically seen with PCOS. Natural health experts and anecdotal clinical evidence inform this conviction.
As Naturopathic doctor, Dr. Tsu-Tsair Chi says…
For people with PCOS who have cherry angiomas, their development may be hormonal, or the timing may be coincidental. What we can say is that sudden clusters of cherry angiomas (called eruptive angiomatosis) have been observed during pregnancy and in certain hormonal states, suggesting hormones may play a modulating role in predisposed individuals. But this doesn’t mean every cherry angioma is hormone-driven.
Other Contributing Factors
The research has identified other associations with varying levels of evidence:
Immunosuppression: Eruptive cherry angiomas (the sudden appearance of many lesions) have been documented with medications like cyclosporine, graft-versus-host disease, and lymphoproliferative disorders. This supports a role for altered immune surveillance in at least some cases.
Viral associations: Some studies have detected human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) sequences in cherry angiomas, particularly in eruptive cases. The evidence is inconsistent, and causality remains unproven, but it’s an area researchers continue to explore.
Diabetes: Way back in 1966, an article was published in the British Journal of Dermatology, making an association between cherry angioma and diabetes mellitus. As blood sugar issues and insulin resistance are common in PCOS, this may be an unsuspected link.
Anecdotal associations: Some practitioners observe links between vitamin C deficiency, excess copper, and bromide exposure. I mention them because there is a difference between anecdotal observation and established evidence.
How to Treat Cherry Angiomas
Medical Removal Options
For those who find cherry angiomas cosmetically bothersome or who experience bleeding from friction, several removal options exist. These procedures are straightforward and typically provide fast results:
Vascular laser treatment: Simple vascular lasers effectively target the blood vessels within the angioma, and most people find the procedure straightforward with minimal discomfort. This is often considered the gold standard for removing cherry angiomas.
Electrocautery: This method uses controlled heat to destroy the lesion. It’s effective and widely available through dermatology practices.
Cryotherapy: Freezing the angioma causes the tissue to break down and eventually fall off. Some people find this option appealing because it doesn’t involve lasers or heat.
Surgical excision: Direct removal is typically reserved for larger lesions or when tissue analysis is desired. Your trusted health professional can help you determine if this approach is appropriate for your situation.
Addressing Potential Hormonal Contributors
If you have PCOS and suspect hormonal factors may be contributing to your cherry angiomas, you might consider addressing underlying hormonal balance as part of your broader PCOS management. I want to be clear that research supporting this approach for cherry angiomas specifically is limited, but supporting hormonal balance offers benefits for many other aspects of PCOS.
Rosemary for Hormonal Balance
Rosemary has been traditionally used for symptoms associated with oestrogen imbalance. Some people with PCOS find that drinking fresh rosemary tea at least twice daily helps support their hormonal balance. To prepare, simply add a handful of fresh rosemary sprigs to a mug and pour boiling water over them—it’s that straightforward.
Rosemary may also help reduce excess androgens that contribute to other PCOS symptoms like hirsutism, acne, weight gain, and scalp hair loss. When appropriate, discuss herbal approaches with your trusted health professional, particularly if you’re taking medications or planning pregnancy.
General Hormonal Balance Strategies
If you’re addressing oestrogen dominance as part of your PCOS management, you might consider these approaches:
Liver support: Your liver metabolises and eliminates excess oestrogen, so supporting liver function makes physiological sense. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts contain compounds that support this process. Adequate fibre and limiting alcohol also help your liver do its job efficiently.
Gut health: A healthy microbiome prevents oestrogen from being reabsorbed in your gut and recirculated. Supporting your gut through varied plant foods and, when appropriate, targeted probiotics can help maintain this balance.
Reduce xenoestrogen exposure: Minimising exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in plastics, personal care products, and pesticides reduces your body’s overall oestrogenic load. Small, consistent changes here create momentum—like a wheel rolling downhill, action creates more action.
Stress management: Chronic stress affects hormonal balance through the HPA axis (the communication system between your brain and adrenal glands). This doesn’t mean eliminating all stress—that’s not realistic. It means building in practices that help your nervous system downshift when needed.
Nutritional Considerations
Some practitioners recommend addressing potential nutritional factors, though I want to be honest that the evidence remains anecdotal:
Vitamin C: This nutrient supports blood vessel integrity and collagen formation. Ensuring adequate intake through citrus fruits, berries, capsicum, and leafy greens supports overall vascular health, whether or not it directly affects cherry angiomas.
Copper balance: Work with your trusted health professional to assess copper levels if you have concerns. Both deficiency and excess can affect connective tissue, though the link to cherry angiomas specifically needs more research.
Reduce bromide exposure: Some practitioners recommend limiting sources like brominated vegetable oils (found in some soft drinks), though the evidence linking bromide to cherry angiomas is limited.
When to See a Trusted Health Professional
While cherry angiomas are benign, there are situations where consultation is important:
Sudden appearance of many cherry angiomas: Eruptive angiomatosis (the rapid appearance of numerous lesions) may signal immunosuppression or systemic conditions that warrant investigation. This is different from gradually noticing a few more spots over months or years.
Changes in existing lesions: If you notice changes in size, shape, or colour of spots you thought were cherry angiomas, have them assessed. While cherry angiomas themselves don’t become cancerous, it’s important to ensure you’re looking at what you think you’re looking at.
Persistent symptoms: If you experience persistent itching, pain, or frequent bleeding from these spots, your trusted health professional can help determine the best management approach.
Concern about diagnosis: If you’re unsure whether what you’re seeing is cherry angiomas or another skin condition, getting a proper assessment brings clarity and peace of mind.
The Bottom Line
Cherry angiomas are common, benign skin growths driven primarily by random genetic mutations in blood vessel cells. This is the mechanism with the strongest scientific backing.
While some people with PCOS notice these red spots appearing during hormonal fluctuations, the evidence linking hormones to cherry angiomas is limited to case reports and observational data. We don’t yet have the controlled studies that would definitively establish hormonal causation.
And that brings me to what this means for you. Whether you choose medical removal for cosmetic reasons or explore hormonal and nutritional support as part of broader PCOS management, both approaches are valid. The appearance of cherry angiomas doesn’t mean something is wrong with you—in most cases, they’re simply the result of random genetic changes that happen in skin cells over time.
For people with PCOS, they may offer one piece of information about their overall hormonal and blood sugar picture. If you’re concerned about sudden or numerous cherry angiomas, or if you’d like to explore the hormonal connection further, working with your trusted health professional can help you determine the best approach for your individual situation.
From PCOS to perfect health, with love,
Dr. Rebecca Harwin
The PCOS Expert
Chiropractor & Bestselling Author of
Conquer Your PCOS Naturally
www.ConquerYourPCOSNaturally.com
P.S. For more success strategies and scientific secrets, head to our Facebook page and hit ‘like’. There is so much more I have to share with you to balance your PCOS hormones!
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Hi,
I started developing these after i was put on Aldactone and BCP. The reason why i had to go on these was because last year i was having hair loss with hirsutism on the chin and upper lip and i wasn’t having a period for 2 months so i went to a few dermatologist. I had a lot of blood work done and when it came back my primary doctor said it was normal. I still showed my dermatologist, she proceeded to say my testosterone levels were in the normal range but since i was having hair loss she was going to put me on BCP and Aldactone. I have a family history of PCOS but when people look at me they say well you dont look like a PCOS patient since you’re thin. I was just wondering if you heard of BCP doing this because i have had no luck on this BCP for my symptoms it just seemed to spark more things and not help. If you have any insight or research i would love to hear!
Wow, to think that there are indications on my body that i never knew why they are there.
i have always wondered what they are. wow!!!!
I have been diagnosed with P.C.O.S. & have those spots as well.
This is so true. I have been diagnosed with PCOS for a long time and I have these and never new why. Now I know what to do. Thanks for the info
Hi, I was told my Testosterone level was at 10.4 and I have noticed these spots when I’m mensturating, not when I’m ovulating. So I’m not understanding :-/
I also have PCOS, have the coarse facial hair, aggression to prove it 🙁
So my question is; has my body flipped and now producing too much estrogen to cause these spots?
I always thought the spots were “new” red freckles forming lol how bizarre that the body does tell you by giving you clues/markers of what’s going on. Very amazing!
Thanks, Linda 🙂
Hi Linda,
One thing that can happen in our body is, if we are overweight, testosterone gets converted in oestrogen in our fat cells by a process called extraglandular aromatisation. Maybe this is a factor with you. Take a look through this blog, and you will see ways to improve insulin sensitivity (important to lower testosterone levels) and other ways to reduce testosterone directly.
Much luck and love.
I get these, and honestly, so did both my parents. Their mothers did as well, but as both were only kids, not sure who else in the family does… I do know that neither grandmother could have any more kids, but my mother had two, and one miscarriage….
I have one spot on the side of my “bad” ovary and one over each breast. Isn’t that odd? I have PCOS and stage 3 endometriosis and hashimotos thyroiditis. My endometriosis Dr said that the extraglandular aromatisation also occurs with the endometriosis. He put me on an aromatase inhibitor to try to stop the formation of the endo tissue, but it seemed to make my ovary pain worse. The spots over my breasts concern me after my BRAC came back high for breast cancer. I’ve worked so hard to get my estrogen dominance down.
Hi Angie,
I’m sorry to hear you’ve had so many challenges. Endo is also thought to have an autoimmune component. So have you tried low glycaemic load, gluten and dairy free, and gut repair?
I have them, but so does my dad, and I looked them up and read that they were some harmless familial thing that can only be removed using lasers so I assumed it was true. Oh, but unrelated to that-long story-i was diagnosed with pcos a few years ago.
So from the comments it seems like these spots come and go? I have one spot like that and have been told by a doctor that I likely have pcos. I have many of the symptoms but a regular ultra sound did not show any cysts. The spot I have has been there for some months but the other symptoms have been around or building for years. Anyway the spot does not come and go just stays so wondering if it the same thing?
I have these also I was diagnosed with PCOS 2004, my mother has these really bad she’s 74 yrs old, my maternal grandmother had these too. My niece has these my daughter has a few.
Do you know, for your family, what has caused them?
My dad had those. So seems something is off on information.
These are just symptoms Gloria, and can be linked to different things. It’s like ‘pelvic pain’, could be hormonal issues in a woman, prostate issues in a man, gut challenges. A symptom can having varying causes.
Hi, I’ve been taking the birth control pill for many years as hormone therapy, and recently I noticed some of these red spots.. There is a link?
I’ve noticed these spots and I’ve had a hysterectomy does this still apply to me?
There are also studies concluding that these cherry angiomas are a result of bromide poisoning which binds iodine. I’m not a doctor but here’s the link: http://www.iodine-resource.com/cherry-angiomas.html
I have one of these on my arm, and I’ve had it since I can remember. I have not been diagnosed with PCOS, but my sister has. I was told that I couldn’t have PCOS because I’m “not very hairy”. Could I actually HAVE PCOS and the Dr. just have outdated information?
I have multiple hemangiomas like these, was diagnosed with pcos in my 20’s (now in my 50’s). I’ve also heard they were hereditary. My mother and grandmother had them. Also, read about them being a sign of bromine toxicity which is related to iodine deficiency. Thanks for the info.
I was diagnosed with PCOS when i was about 21, I am on metformin but still usually end up taking something else to endure a period. I have these spots and have always wondered what they were, they are mostly on my abdomin.
I have these on my head in my hair line. I thought they were different from moles. Just really thought they were different kind of moles. My mom said they were. So this is great to know. Thank you for sharing.
Have them on my abdomen and a new one between my breast. Never knew they could be lasered off. Have been diagnosed with PCOS since I was 18 (54 now) They look terrible but gyno has always told they’re harmless
Thanks I have always thought these some weird type of pimple. Does anyone know if its safe to pop them? I usually do and they go away
I like this thread, I have had PCOS for years, many miscarriage, difficulty getting pregnant, facial hair, and a difficult time losing weight. I too have the red spots you speak of, I just noticed them on my leg today actually. I had always wondered what they were.
My mother had them also, her Dr told her they were harmless. So I never worried about them linked to anything of importance.
I have small ones and one large-ish one but I thought, as some here have as well, they were moles or freckles that were just different. My husband has two on his back that look just like the photo but the doctor said they were moles (he is red-headed and has several skin things going on).
I was diagnosed with PCOS about 5 years ago and have these. They seem to be appearing more frequently. I only treat my symptoms through diet and exercise, no medicine. I would love to decrease the occurrence of these spots as well.
I have pcos and those red spots continue to pop up all over my body, mainly my upper body. I hate them and I wondered what caused them. What can I do to help my hair loss and oestrogen dominance??
I’m already on the sibo diet and working to heal my gut but eating sibo/autoimmune doesn’t seem to help my pcos. I also just detoxed all the mercury out of my body too. That was rough! It just seems that no matter what I do my hair loss won’t stop. I’m not over weight either. I’ve had everything checked, thyroid etc…
I have these spots too! They popped up somewhere in my late teens but I was just diagnosed at 26 years old this last September.
Which is interesting because up until my late teens, my periods were like clockwork down to the minute.
I have had one on my right breast since puberty. I was always really thin till my 30’s. I had a child in my 20’s but found it hard getting pregnant tried for over 6 years. Found out that I was over producing estrogen. Finally got pregnant. Got pregnant with the third four months after second child. I was 35&36 years old then. Periods regulated but have noticed increase in these red moles all over my body as I get closer to menopause.
I’m adopted and recently found my half-sister. She has PCOS, thyroid issues and is overweight. I have been dealing with hypothyroidism and being overweight for years. I told my doctor about my sister’s PCOS and she says because I’m 46, I have no need to be checked for PCOS. I have those “cherry angiomas” all over my body. Do you think I might have PCOS or oestrogen level issues? Should I find a new doctor?
I’m not sure if I am going to get a response but I’ll try anyway. I have always been super thin my whole life. I’ve gone to Dr’s to find out what was wrong and no one could figure it out. I’ve always had issues with energy level, weight loss and appetitite. Flash forward to me being 30 and my partner and I decided we would try for a baby. I got off birth control and 3 months later, bam, pregnant with twins. I thought it would take years considering it took both sisters years and miscarriages.
Now, my boys are 3 yrs old and I decided that I couldn’t deal with the low enegy, anxiety and feeling horrible all the time. I demanded my general Dr give me a referral for an endocrinologist and he did so reluctantly. I’m happy I asked because turns out I have a hypothyroid but I’m super thin, doesn’t make sense. I’m on meds now and feel a lot better but I have these red spots too. What does it all mean? How did I get so lucky to get pregnant so fast with twins?
My endocrinologist said that if I wanted to get pregnant again I’d need to be on a higher dosage of meds. I’m not really interested in getting pregnant while medicated but she said I’d need to be on medication for the rest of my life. Confused..,
Hii..I m 28 and have been diagnosed idiopathic hirsutism when I was 21.Have been on Aldactone and ocp since then.But since past six months I m getting these cherry red angiomas on my breast,abdomen n neck.I wonder when they will stop appearing.They are getting worse day by day
It is so encouraging when I stumble upon doctors who are learning more about PCOS. My diagnosis came in my late teenage years, and now, at 25, I try to research as much as I can to find effective methods to help my body fight it. I have these spots- along with cystic acne- but I would have never guessed the spots were related to my PCOS. Thank you for the work you are doing and the information you are sharing! Bless you.
Thank you for your kind comments Micayla. All the best x
I have several of these spots all over my body. Crazy how I never could figure out what they were. They seemed to have come from out of nowhere. I’m relieved to see that other women with PCOS have this as well. When I was diagnosed in 2010, I weighed 255 lbs. I was miserable, had a crazy period, horrible adult acne, facial hair and fertility issues as well.
I have quite a few of them. Always called one on my arm an “angel kiss” thought it was a birthmark because of how long I’ve had it. Then, the last few years I have been getting more. I was diagnosed with PCOS a couple years ago, and told I’ve had it for years based on how my ovaries looked in the ultrasound. Thank you very much for the info on what they are and how to prevent them! I would love to know more!
I love that Dawnia, an ‘angel kiss’ 🙂 Maybe it is if you’ve had it so long.
I’d recommend going and having a chat to your health professional so they can take a look and you can have a chat.
All the best x
Chasteberry is great for pcos.
I am going on 65 yrs. old. I have had “cherry angiomas” as far back as I can remember. My father has had them all his life. I thought they were hereditary and have been told matter-of-factly by health professionals, they are normal and of no concern. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism 4 yrs. ago. I have lots of embarrassing facial hair. I had one normal pregnancy/childbirth and then 4 miscarriages. Until I saw this picture and read the description, I had never heard of PCOS. No doctor has ever brought it up nor discussed with me. I find this very informative and helpful. Thank you.
Hi Laura,
I’m so sorry you’ve had so many challenges and no recognition. I would imagine because of your age, it’s been because of a lack of knowledge. I’m in my early 40’s and when I was first diagnosed, no-one had heard of it. So 20 years before me, it would have, I imagine, been worse.
I’m glad to have been able to shed some light.
All the best with your health.
Woah, I have one on my leg for years and it’s recently gotten a little plumper! I’ve been doing research on pcos and this surprised me..I haven’t been diagnosed, but feel I have pcos, I seem to have many if the symptoms but on a lower scale. My hormones have been tested and all came back normal, but I don’t feel normal! They keep saying it’s just stress, but after seeing now so many women with different symptoms of pcos and not all of them at once, I think I have it! What would you suggest? More doctors and demand more tests? Or just follow a pcos protocol of sorts until something works? Thanks!