1. Physical Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) tend to have certain symptoms in common. All women with polycystic ovary syndrome will have irregular menstrual cycles. They may miss their periods occasionally or frequently and they may have no periods at all. They also can have irregular, sometimes heavy, bleeding for no apparent reason. In women with PCOS, irregular menstrual periods often lead to infertility or difficulty getting pregnant. Other symptoms that women with polycystic ovarian syndrome can have include acne, obesity, weight gain (especially around the mid-section of the body), thinning hair, dark skin patches, skin tags and increased hair growth (hirsutism). A woman with PCOS does not have to have all of these symptoms. However, note any PCOS symptoms that you do exhibit so you can go over them with your doctor.
2. Get a Physical Exam
If you suspect that you have polycystic ovarian syndrome (Stein-Leventhal syndrome), make an appointment with your doctor for a physical examination. During a physical examination, your doctor will examine your body for excess hair growth. A woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome can have extra hair growth on her chest, back, toes and face. Your doctor probably will measure your blood pressure, as women with PCOS can present elevated readings. Your doctor also will calculate your body mass index (BMI) to assess above normal BMI. Finally, your doctor may perform a pelvic exam to feel your ovaries, since many women with PCOS typically have larger than normal ovaries.
3. Test Those Hormone Levels
Women with PCOS will typically have elevated levels of various male hormones, such as androgens, DHEA and testosterone, in their blood. They also can have elevated levels of the female hormone lutenizing hormone (LH) in their blood. In addition, many women with PCOS will have elevated levels of blood glucose, insulin and cholesterol. Blood tests performed by your doctor can reveal your specific hormone levels.
4. Look Closer With Ultrasound
Some doctors will use vaginal ultrasound to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome. Women with PCOS can have ovaries that are 1 1/2 to 3 times larger than normal. The doctor will also look for the presence of ovarian cysts that result when eggs grow but don't fully mature as part of the menstrual cycle. In some women with PCOS, these cysts appear as a string of pearls near the ovaries. Note that not all women with PCOS will have ovarian cysts. Finally, the doctor can visualize the lining of the uterus. Because of irregular menstrual periods, the lining may appear thicker than normal in women with PCOS.
