Have you noticed a few small mysterious spots appearing on your skin? Let’s take a look and see if it could be a cherry angioma and PCOS…
They’re similar to a mole or freckle, except red or purple in colour, and they’re usually slightly bigger than the size of a pinprick.
If you’re nodding your head be reassured. These colourful and common spots are usually benign.
Known as cherry angioma’s, they more commonly develop about the third decade and are “observed in 5% of adolescents and 75% of adults over 75 years of age.” (1) The stats for women with PCOS? We can’t tell you exactly as the research is absent.
According to Chiropractor, Osteopath and health expert, Dr. Frank Marcellino (2), these red skin spots could also be a telltale sign you’re suffering from the oestrogen dominance typically seen with PCOS.
Let’s take a look at what these tiny red spots are, how they may be connected with your PCOS and oestrogen dominance, and most importantly, what you can do to heal them naturally.
What are these red skin spots?
These red spots come under many names, including cherry angioma’s, Campbell de Morgan spots, and senile angioma’s. To make it easier, I’ll refer to them by their common name, cherry angioma.
They often begin life as small as a pinprick but can grow slightly larger and take on a domed or mushroom appearance over time. You’re likely to find them on different parts of your body including the torso and arms, and less commonly they can appear on the scalp, face, and feet.
They might bleed when irritated by your clothes or other friction, but don’t seem to go away.
What causes cherry angiomas?
Ah, that is the question!
According to the Australian College of Dermatologists, they form when skin cells overproduce and tiny capillaries at the surface of the skin dilate and cluster together.
We don’t absolutely know why, though there are some commonalities that indicate likely causes.
According to an article posted by Women’s International Pharmacy:
Cherry angiomas… have been associated with excess estrogen and copper, bromide toxicity, and a vitamin C deficiency leading to weakened blood vessel walls.
As Naturopathic expert, Dr. Tsu-Tsair Chi says…
What are some other signs that you might have oestrogen dominance?
If you suffer from:
- headaches and migraines
- bloating
- tender, swollen breasts
- fibrocystic breasts (the feel lumpy)
- clotting in your menstrual flow
- heavier periods
- constipation
- you’re having hot flushes (flashes)
There’s a good chance… because as you’re reading this you most likely also have PCOS.
What are the most effective natural treatments for cherry angioma and PCOS?
You’ll be pleased to hear there are more ways than one to potentially heal these spots without having them removed surgically… Although surgical removal will be faster. Straightforward and natural, with the potential to balance your hormones and ease your other PCOS symptoms too, let’s take a look.
1. Drink Rosemary Tea
Drink a cup of fresh rosemary tea at least twice per day and you could heal your red spots naturally, plus ease other PCOS symptoms. Simply grab a handful of sprigs, pop it into a mug, pour over boiling water and enjoy!
I love how simple yet effective this remedy can be.
Rosemary is also helpful for reducing excess androgens in your body, which contribute to various PCOS symptoms such as excess hair, acne, weight gain and scalp hair loss.
If you can, it’s also worth including more rosemary in your diet or even supplementing with a concentrated rosemary extract.
2. Find Out More About Oestrogen Dominance
This is such an important topic we’ve posted an epic article on this topic: Oestrogen Dominance and PCOS: What It Is & What To Do About It. We strongly recommend the read.
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!