Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

September 19, 2021

Written by Maira Ahsan

Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Young and Blissful

September 19, 2021

Written by Maira Ahsan

The most prevalent cause of anovulatory infertility is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It affects a high percentage of reproductive-aged women. It might be a cancer risk factor. Several causes can induce PCOS symptoms, most of which are linked to genetic predispositions.

PCOS is a challenging condition to recognize and diagnose. Two features that may differ between ethnic groups include weight gain and an abundance of face and body hair. Teenage girls have irregular menstrual cycles or lack periods for the first two years after starting to menstruate, but this diagnostic criterion is not used to help make a diagnosis of PCOS symptoms. Ultrasound may also be ineffective in identifying cysts on their ovaries. To diagnose PCOS in teen females, healthcare providers may perform hormone blood testing and indications of the excess production of male hormones in the body.

Diagnostic Criteria for PCOS Symptoms

PCOS is a disorder that is difficult to diagnose with a single test. Your doctor may ask you questions about your medical history and do physical exams and ask for testing to help diagnose PCOS symptoms and rule out other possible causes of PCOS. Adults can be diagnosed with PCOS using one of three methods, as shown in the diagram.

Guidelines for the diagnosis of PCOS

Source: Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome: An Updated Overview (PubMed)

Even though diseases like insulin resistance and obesity are thought to be inherent to PCOS, none of these are included in the recommendations and should not be utilized for diagnostic reasons.

Physical Examination

Your doctor will first measure your blood pressure, BMI, and waist size. He may also check for excess hair growth on your face, chest, or back, acne, or discoloration on your skin. Your doctor may examine you for hair loss or other indications of illness (such as an enlarged thyroid gland).

Pelvic Examination

A pelvic exam may be performed by your doctor to check for signs of extra male hormones (such as an enlarged clitoris) and to examine whether your ovaries are swollen or enlarged.

A pelvic ultrasound is a type of ultrasound that looks at the inside of the pelvis (sonogram). Sound waves are used in this test to examine cysts in your ovaries and endometrium (lining of the uterus or womb).

Blood Test Examination

PCOS cannot be diagnosed with a single test. A healthcare practitioner will use a combination of clinical data, such as signs and symptoms, medical and family history, physical exam, and laboratory test results, to make a diagnosis. Several tests may be performed before a PCOS diagnosis to point out the apparent causes of PCOS symptoms. Malignancies of the adrenal gland or ovary, as well as an enlarged adrenal gland, can produce excess androgens in women (adrenal hyperplasia).

A few hormone-related blood tests may be performed to help diagnose PCOS:

Testosterone	Generally, it is the initial test to discover if your body is producing too many androgens. Testosterone level is usually high in PCOS.
Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)	It's often used in the diagnosis of women who exhibit signs and symptoms that point to excess production of male hormones (androgens). Its production level may be reduced in PCOS.
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)	It's used to check ovarian function and menopausal state in women, as well as to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Its level is increased in the body with PCOS.

Additional tests may be performed to identify PCOS, including:

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)	Its production level may be normal/ lower with PCOS.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)	It will be raised to a higher level.
Estrogens	Normal/High level in PCOS.
DHEAS	Its production level might be raised to high with PCOS.
Androstenedione	High production level with PCOS.

If you've been diagnosed with PCOS, you'll have a series of blood tests to assess and monitor your general health and identify any potential complications:

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)	This test is performed to monitor whether or not you have a thyroid problem. Hypothyroidism in PCOS is indicated by a low T4 level.
Glucose or HB A1c	This test is used to monitor your blood sugar level or can be used to screen diabetes.
CRP levels	Patients with PCOS have a higher CRP/albumin ratio irrespective of their BMI. Inflammations are visible in this test.