Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition that is most often diagnosed by the presence of two of the three following criteria: hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovaries.
Diagnosis criteria
you have irregular periods or infrequent periods – this indicates that your ovaries do not regularly release eggs (ovulate) blood tests showing you have high levels of "male hormones", such as testosterone (or sometimes just the signs of excess male hormones, even if the blood test is normal)
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There are four types of PCOS: Insulin-resistant PCOS, Inflammatory PCOS, Hidden-cause PCOS, and Pill-induced PCOS.
According to the Rotterdam consensus and Androgen Excess & PCOS Society, ultrasound criteria consist of the presence of 12 or more follicles within the ovary, with a diameter of 2-9 mm and/or ovarian volume 10 cm3 or greater.
Symptoms of PCOS
Hair loss from your scalp and/or hair growth (hirsutism) in unexpected places. Oily skin and acne problems. Infertility (ovulation problems) or repeat miscarriages. Weight gain, especially around your waist.
PCOS belly refers to the abdominal fat causing an increased waist-to-hip ratio, PCOS Belly will look like an apple-shaped belly rather than a pear-shaped belly. One of the most common symptoms of PCOS is weight gain, particularly around the abdominal area.
Hairy arms and legs are not usually the result of abnormal hormone patterns, but rather reflect the woman's family or ethnic background. "Midline" hair growth (e.g. upper lip, chin, abdomen, between the breasts and/or buttocks) is more suspicious for PCOS.
There's no single test for it, but a physical exam, ultrasound, and blood tests can help diagnose PCOS. You need to meet 2 of these 3 "official" criteria to be diagnosed: Irregular, heavy, or missed periods due to missed ovulation—the release of an egg from your ovaries.
FSH/LH Blood Test.
At the same time, PCOS cannot be ruled out by ultrasound because it's possible to have normal-appearing ovaries on ultrasound and still have the hormonal condition PCOS.
The ultrasound should be preferred to perform the scan on Day 2-7 of the menstrual cycle. This prevents any growing follicle from hiding smaller ones or modifying ovarian volume. In case of oligo or amenorrhoeic women, scanning may be performed at random, or 2-5 days after progesterone-induced bleeding.
It's common for women to find out they have PCOS when they have trouble getting pregnant, but it often begins soon after the first menstrual period, as young as age 11 or 12. It can also develop in the 20s or 30s.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrinological problem among women in the reproductive age, is characterized by chronic ovulatory dysfunction, hyperandrogenism, and raised Luteinizing hormone : Follicle Stimulating Hormone (LH:FSH) ratio.
What are the complications of PCOS? Women with PCOS are more likely to develop certain serious health problems. These include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, problems with the heart and blood vessels, and uterine cancer. Women with PCOS often have problems with their ability to get pregnant (fertility).
Women with PCOS usually have low to normal levels of FSH, but high levels of LH. Because LH is already high, there is no LH surge that occurs. Without an LH surge, the ovaries cannot release an egg and you may have irregular menstrual cycles.
Blood tests.
Blood tests can measure hormone levels. This testing can exclude possible causes of menstrual problems or androgen excess that mimic PCOS . You might have other blood testing, such as fasting cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A glucose tolerance test can measure your body's response to sugar (glucose).
Other disorders that mimic the clinical features of PCOS should be excluded: thyroid disease, high prolactin levels, and non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Large ovaries with many small follicles (which look like cysts, hence the name "polycystic"). These follicles are not cancerous.
One of the common symptoms of PCOS is excessive growth of dark or coarse hair on the face, chest, or back in a male-like pattern. Therefore, in plain terms, PCOS facial hair is the excessive growth of facial hair.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed. Treatment options can vary because someone with PCOS may experience a range of symptoms, or just 1.
Lea Michele
The Glee star has opened up about being diagnosed with PCOS after experiencing severe acne and fluctuating weight. “The side effects [of PCOS] can be brutal — like weight gain and bad skin,” Lea shared with Health. “I went to a great doctor, and the minute she looked at me, she was like, 'Oh, you have PCOS.