PCOS

PCOS Diagnosis

If you suspect that you may have PCOS, your healthcare provider will likely start by consulting your personal and family medical histories and asking about your signs and symptoms (especially irregular menstruation or weight gain). They will also conduct a physical exam, likely including a pelvic exam (which checks the health of your reproductive organs). As previously stated, a diagnosis of PCOS can be made if you show at least two of the characteristic signs of the disorder (irregular menstrual periods, excess androgen, and polycystic ovaries). Aside from this, there is no one test used to diagnose^[14] PCOS. However, your provider may recommend the following tests when diagnosing you with PCOS:

• Pelvic exam: During a pelvic exam, your provider will visually and manually examine your reproductive organs (both on the inside and outside of your body) for masses, growths, or other abnormalities.
• Blood tests: Blood tests may be used to measure your hormone levels and rule out the possibility of other health conditions that may cause menstrual abnormalities or excess androgen levels. Additionally, blood testing can help measure your glucose tolerance and fasting cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Ultrasound: This imaging test can be used to assess the appearance of your ovaries and the thickness of the lining of your uterus (called the endometrium). In one form of this test (called a transvaginal ultrasound), a wandlike device (transducer) is placed inside the vagina. This device emits soundwaves that are used to produce images of your internal structures.

The early diagnosis of PCOS is crucial, as detecting and treating the disorder early on may help reduce the risk of developing long-term health complications. If you are diagnosed with PCOS, your provider may also recommend that you undergo regular screening for depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, and other complications associated with PCOS (such as high blood pressure).