Last Updated on May 5, 2022 by Shabnam Sengupta
No single test exists to diagnose PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). Instead, doctors rely on symptoms, blood tests, physical exams, and sometimes pelvic ultrasounds to determine whether someone has PCOS and not any other condition that can trigger similar signs and symptoms.
PCOS is a common hormone disorder that can cause problems with your period, fertility, weight, and skin. It can also put you at risk for other conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. The sooner you are diagnosed, the sooner you can start the treatment.
The doctor may inquire about your family’s medical history, including whether your mother or sister has PCOS or whether they encountered problems getting pregnant. This information is helpful as PCOS tends to run in families. They will ask about weight changes and other concerns. Your doctor may diagnose PCOS if you have irregular periods, higher levels of androgen (male hormones) shown in blood tests or through symptoms like acne, male-pattern balding, or extra hair growth on your face, chin, or body, and/or cysts in your ovaries as shown in an ultrasound exam.
Your doctor may check your blood pressure, BMI (body mass index), and waist size. They may also look at your skin to check for extra hair growth, acne, and discoloured skin, which can all happen if you have PCOS. They will look at and feel areas of your body including vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and rectum checking for anything unusual during your pelvic exam. They will also check for cysts in your ovaries and how thick the lining is in your uterus in your ultrasound exam. That lining may be thicker than normal if your periods aren’t happening when they’re supposed to.
Levels of hormones like FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone), LH (Luteinizing hormone), testosterone, estrogens, SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) and androstenedione are checked through blood tests.
AMH (Anti-Mullerian hormone) test can check how well your ovaries are working and to help estimate how far off menopause may be. The levels would be higher with PCOS. If you have a diagnosis of PCOS, your doctor may recommend additional tests for complications like periodic checks of blood pressure, glucose tolerance, and cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Along with these, they may also suggest screening for depression and anxiety and screening for obstructive sleep apnea.
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