PCOS diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will ask you many questions about your menstrual cycle and your general health. Then he or she will probably do a complete physical examination. You will most likely need to have a blood test to check your hormone levels, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Your healthcare provider may also want you to have an ultrasound of your uterus and ovaries.

The term “polycystic ovaries” means that there are lots of tiny cysts, or bumps, inside of the ovaries. Some young women with PCOS have these cysts but many others do not. Even if you do have them, they are not harmful and in the majority of cases, they do not need to be removed. [1,2]

Acne and extra hair on your face and body can happen if your body is making too much testosterone, and since skin-cells and hair follicles are extremely sensitive to slight increases in testosterone, it is a common problem in young women with PCOS. Many adolescents with PCOS have higher levels of the hormone insulin in their blood, which causes patches of darkened skin on the back of your neck, under your arms, and in your groin area.

Will polycystic ovary syndrome affect the ability to have children?

Women with PCOS have a normal uterus and healthy eggs, but still many women with PCOS have trouble getting pregnant, while some have no trouble at all. If you are concerned about your fertility future, you could talk to your doctor about all the new options available. You could include medications to lower your insulin levels and help you ovulate when planning to get pregnant. 

While you cannot cure PCOS, you can treat it instead. A healthy lifestyle is very important, including healthy eating and daily exercise.,

There are excellent long-term medications to help you manage irregular periods, hair growth, and acne as common symptoms of PCOS. You could ask your doctor about the various options, including hormone treatment and insulin-sensitizing medications.