How do I know if I have PCOS?
Up to 35% of women who suspect they may have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome wait more than 2 years to obtain a formal diagnosis (Samardzic et al., 2021).
Although the causes of this are likely complex, medical negligence is likely to contribute to atleast a small percentage of these cases. Many women visit 2 or more doctors before receiving an accurate diagnosis or a somewhat comprehensive understanding of what is going on in their bodies.
If you think you may have PCOS, or are curious about what it is, the most common symptoms include (Barbieri & Ehrmann, 2021; Monash University MA, 2018):
Irregular or missed periods
Fatigue
Difficulty losing weight
Difficulty or delay in getting pregnant
Acne or oily skin
Hirsutism (excessive facial or body hair on the chest, stomach or back)
Thinning of the hair on the scalp
Although PCOS is very common, affecting up to 1 in 4 women in high incidence areas of the world (e.g. the Middle East & India) (Azziz et al., 2004; Mousa et al., 2021), many of these symptoms may be due to other causes, so it is important to seek medical attention from a trusted healthcare professional as soon. They will take a history from you, to fully understand your symptoms and any previous health concerns, and will conduct appropriate blood tests and likely an ultrasound of the ovaries (however not always, if blood tests & symptoms very clearly show PCOS). If PCOS is not the obvious answer, they may conduct further testing or scans. This will allow them to find out exactly what is going on, and work with you to build your personalised management plan.
To receive a formal diagnosis of PCOS you must meet what is called the ‘Rotterdam Criteria’- the most commonly used & widely recommended guidelines for PCOS diagnosis (Legro et al., 2013). This means you have to show two out of three of the following:
Oligomenorrhea (irregular menstrual periods) or amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods) indicating ovulation problems
High testosterone levels based on symptoms (acne, hirsutism, thinning hair) or blood tests
Polycystic ovaries evident on the ultrasound (which often looks like a ‘string of pearls’ along the outside of the ovary)
If you feel you may have PCOS, make sure to reach out to your GP, primary care doctor, or a specialist Gynaecologist or Endocrinologist to obtain your diagnosis. If you have your diagnosis or are one of the 35% that wait great lengths of time to obtain it, reach out to us for support. Our programmes have been created for women just like you, and our community is made up of women who know exactly what it feels like to be in your shoes, you’re not alone.
By Dr. Dana Saeed
References:
Samardzic et al., 2021
Barbieri & Ehrmann, 2021
Monash University MA, 2018
Legro et al., 2013