PCOS is diagnosed only when two of the following three symptoms are present and other causes are excluded:. You do not need to have an ultrasound if you have criteria 1 and 2. In women younger than 20 years, ultrasounds are not recommended. This means that irregular periods and hyperandrogenism need to be present for a diagnosis of PCOS to be made. A number of other conditions that could cause similar symptoms of irregular periods or no periods need to be checked by your doctor and ruled out before a correct diagnosis of PCOS can be confirmed.
Lifestyle factors such as diet low GI-glycaemic index, reduced carbohydrate and exercise have a significant impact on PCOS and this is the key to controlling symptoms. For example, insulin resistance and being overweight can affect PCOS and worsen symptoms. The drug metformin is very useful to help manage sugar cravings. If you have irregularities in your menstrual cycle associated with PCOS it can also help to correct these. The exact cause of PCOS is not clear. Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance.
This means the body can't use insulin well. Insulin levels build up in the body and may cause higher androgen levels. Obesity can also increase insulin levels and make PCOS symptoms worse. Your health care provider will ask about your medical history and your symptoms.
You will also have a physical exam. This will likely include a pelvic exam. This exam checks the health of your reproductive organs, both inside and outside your body. Some of the symptoms of PCOS are like those caused by other health problems.
Because of this, you may also have tests such as:. This test uses sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. This test is used to look at the size of the ovaries and see if they have cysts.
The test can also look at the thickness of the lining of the uterus endometrium. Blood tests. These look for high levels of androgens and other hormones. Your health care provider may also check your blood glucose levels. And you may have your cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked. Treatment for PCOS depends on a number of factors. These may include your age, how severe your symptoms are, and your overall health. About PCOS. Which symptoms do you have? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
No periods at all Some women with PCOS experience an absence of periods for three or more consecutive cycles. Very heavy periods Sometimes women with PCOS experience heavier bleeding during their menstrual cycle.
PCOS Painful Periods Heavy periods usually go hand-in-hand with more uncomfortable symptoms such as cramping dysmenorrhea. Polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects up to 1 in 5 Australian women of reproductive age. These cysts can cause fertility problems; although it is not impossible to get pregnant, just difficult due to irregular ovulation.
Some women only experience menstrual problems or are unable to conceive, or both. Common symptoms of PCOS include: irregular periods or no periods at all difficulty getting pregnant because of irregular ovulation or failure to ovulate excessive hair growth hirsutism — usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks weight gain thinning hair and hair loss from the head oily skin or acne You should talk to your GP if you have any of these symptoms and think you may have PCOS.
Fertility problems PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility. Risks in later life Having PCOS can increase your chances of developing other health problems in later life.
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