Polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS, is one of the most common reasons for irregular periods and for difficulty conceiving. It is worth knowing what the diagnosis is based on.
Doctors usually look for two of three things: periods that are irregular or absent, signs of higher male-type hormones (on a blood test or as extra hair growth or acne), and ovaries that look polycystic on a scan. A scan alone is not enough, especially in younger women, because many ovaries look "polycystic" without the syndrome.
PCOS is not the same for everyone. Some women have no periods for months; some have regular periods and only the skin or hair changes. Weight affects it for many women but not all.
What it does not mean
It does not mean you cannot have children. Many women with PCOS conceive, some without treatment and some with simple treatment to make ovulation happen.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Which of the three features do I have?
- Have my hormones been checked, and what did they show?
- Am I ovulating?
- What would you suggest first, and why?
- Is there anything about my long-term health I should know?
This article is general information, not advice about you. Not for emergencies. Call 1990.