PCOS can be difficult to diagnose because some of its symptoms have a variety of potential causes. For example, heavy menstrual bleeding could be caused by a range of conditions, such as uterine fibroids, polyps, bleeding disorders, certain medications, or pelvic inflammatory disease, in addition to PCOS.
PCOS can often be misdiagnosed for something else called Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea. In hypothalamic amenorrhoea (HA), your period can stop due to under-eating and/or overexercising, and similarly to PCOS can present itself with mild acne, excess hair growth and a polycystic ovary appearance on an ultrasound.
Cushing's syndrome is characterized by symptoms that are strikingly similar to PCOS, including weight gain, hirsutism, facial puffiness, increased urination, and changes in skin texture.
4 myths about PCOS - and why they're wrong. New research shows it can be common for women to be misdiagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Lead author PhD candidate Tessa Copp and colleagues explain the issues, including erroneously equating PCOS with infertility.
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).
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) cannot be diagnosed by ultrasound because polycystic ovaries are not cysts. They're follicles or eggs which are normal for the ovary. It's normal for all women to sometimes have a higher number of follicles.
The exact cause of PCOS is not known. Most experts think that several factors, including genetics, play a role: High levels of androgens. Androgens are sometimes called "male hormones," although all women make small amounts of androgens.
Upon assessment, many women with PCOS describe little or no breast changes during the pregnancy, and examination reveals breasts that are tubular in shape, widely spaced, or asymmetrical.
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.
blood tests to check your hormones (such as testosterone), cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood. an ultrasound scan to look at your ovaries and check for the presence of multiple cysts (fluid-filled sacs)
Recent studies have shown that women who were diagnosed as having PCOS 30 years ago have a completely normal life expectancy. An inspection of more than 700 death certificates from women with PCOS has shown that there is no excess risk of cancer in any organ or of heart disease.
Symptoms and Signs of PCOS
Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome typically begin during puberty and worsen with time. Ovulatory dysfunction is usually present at puberty, resulting in primary amenorrhea; thus, polycystic ovary syndrome is unlikely if regular menses occurred for a time after menarche.
Yes, it is likely. Polycystic ovaries are seen in women with hypothyroidism. PCOS's and hypothyroidism have many symptoms in common, such as “anovulation” i.e. menstruation without releasing an egg.
If you have signs and symptoms of PCOS, they'll usually become apparent during your late teens or early 20s. They can include: irregular periods or no periods at all. difficulty getting pregnant as a result of irregular ovulation or no ovulation.
To receive a diagnosis of PCOS, you must meet two of the following criteria: irregular ovulation, which is usually indicated by an irregular menstrual cycle or a lack of a cycle. signs of increased androgen levels or a blood test confirming you have increased levels. multiple small cysts on the ovaries.
Irregular periods without a doubt are the first sign of PCOS. Irregular menstrual cycle featuring periods that come earlier than 21 days and later than 35 days in adults and 45 days in young teens, it may be a sign of PCOS. 2. Experiencing difficulty in getting pregnant is also a sign of PCOS.
Polycystic ovaries (PCO) are commonly mistaken for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If you have PCO, you do not necessarily have PCOS. A polycystic-pattern may be an incidental finding during a pelvic scan for some other reason.
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).
PCO is not a disease, whilst PCOS is a metabolic condition:
PCO is a variant of normal ovaries, whilst PCOS is a metabolic disorder associated with an unbalanced hormone levels released by the woman's ovaries.