To diagnose PCOS, an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders, conducts a physical exam. He or she checks you for increased body and facial hair, thinning scalp hair, acne, and other symptoms of increased androgen levels.
In PCOS, the blood contains an excess of androgens giving rise to symptoms, such as acne, excess body hair, and menstrual irregularities. The excess of androgens is associated with imbalances in other hormones (such as follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and progesterone).
The biggest red flag for PCOS is a combination of symptoms. These can include: Irregular or missed periods. Cystic inflammatory acne.
Mood swings: Because of the hormonal imbalance, women with PCOS also have a higher risk for depression, anxiety and extreme or rapid changes in mood. Heavy, painful periods: PCOS can cause painful periods with heavy bleeding. This can cause additional issues, such as anemia, and is often unpleasant and even scary.
Using the Rotterdam criteria, there are 4 possible diagnostic subcategories of PCOS: 1) irregular menses/hyperandrogenism/PCO morphology, 2) irregular menses/hyperandrogenism, 3) hyperandrogenism/PCO morphology, and 4) irregular menses/PCO morphology (Table 2).
The easiest way of controlling PCOS is to go on the combined pill (such as Yasmin or Zoely) which prevents recruitment of new egg-follicles and stops the problem from getting worse.
Symptoms: there are no noticeable symptoms in around half of women with the condition, and there is usually no vaginal soreness or itching. Symptoms may include a greyish-white, thin and watery vaginal discharge with a strong fishy smell, especially after sex.
PCOS belly occurs when you develop excess fat or weight gain around your abdomen. This symptom often occurs due to an underlying diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance due to PCOS can influence your weight, causing you to gain unwanted weight.
During a pelvic exam, your provider can check your reproductive organs for masses, growths or other changes. Blood tests. Blood tests can measure hormone levels. This testing can exclude possible causes of menstrual problems or androgen excess that mimic PCOS .
Experts estimate that 5 to 10 percent of women ages 18 to 44 have PCOS. The syndrome is usually detected in women between ages 20 and 30, but the earliest signs can be evident in younger girls including those who have not yet started menstruation.
A medicine called clomifene may be the first treatment recommended for women with PCOS who are trying to get pregnant. Clomifene encourages the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries (ovulation). If clomifene is unsuccessful in encouraging ovulation, another medicine called metformin may be recommended.
Yes; in research, nearly 30% of people with PCOS report pain as a symptom. PCOS pain often manifests as period pain, pelvic discomfort, cramps, or lower back pain.
No, a Pap smear cannot detect PCOS. A Pap smear is a screening tool for cervical cancer. Currently, there is no single test to diagnose PCOS. Doctors diagnose it through a combination of clinical evaluations, blood tests, and imaging tests, such as a pelvic ultrasound.
Rarely, changes include a deepened voice, a decrease in breast size, an increase in muscle size, hair growth in a male pattern (for example, on the chest and face), and thinning of hair or baldness. Many women with polycystic ovary syndrome have excess body weight, but some are thin.
To be diagnosed with PCOS women generally need to have two out of three of the following: Irregular or absent periods. Acne, excess facial or body hair growth, scalp hair loss, or high levels of testosterone and similar hormones in the blood.
Cortisol belly is weight gain in the abdominal area, sometimes referred to as abdominal obesity, caused by an excess of the stress hormone cortisol. It can happen to anyone experiencing prolonged stress. 1. Other factors can also contribute to fat accumulation in the abdomen.
Typical signs in females are breast development, body odor, body hair, acne, mood swings, and menstruation. If you have experienced growth of facial hair or excess body hair, significant weight gain, worsening acne, and infrequent or prolonged periods, you might have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Ovarian cysts and PCOS are related conditions with many of the same symptoms, meaning that women often confuse the two, or wrongly believe that they have PCOS when they do not.
Excessive hair growth, particularly on the face and body. Thinning hair on the scalp. Acne on the face, chest, or upper back. Darkening of skin, specifically around neck creases, in the groin, and under the breasts.
First-line agents for the treatment of hirsutism in patients with PCOS include spironolactone (Aldactone) and metformin (Glucophage), as well as eflornithine (Vaniqa) for facial hirsutism.
Best age to get pregnant with PCOS
The best time for women with PCOS to get pregnant is before they turn 30. It's possible to conceive up to the age of 37, but fertility declines after the age of 32 with steeper decline occurring after age 37.
Herbal supplements, essential oils, and scalp massages can help combat hair loss caused by PCOS. A balanced diet with adequate nutrients is crucial for maintaining healthy hair. Managing stress, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight can promote hair health in individuals with PCOS.