Symptoms
If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to PCOS. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:
- Irregular menstrual periods or no menstrual period ( amenorrhea )
- Infertility
- Hair growth on face and body
- Weight gain
- Obesity
- Acne
- Dark patches of skin on neck, groin, and arm pit
Rarely, symptoms include:
- Deep voice
- Temporal (right or left side of forehead) balding
Women with PCOS are also at increased risk for:
- Type 2 diabetes due to insulin resistance (also glucose intolerance and prediabetes)
- Hyperlipidemia —increased fat and cholesterol in the blood
- Overgrowth and thickening of uterine lining—endometrial hyperplasia, a precancerous condition
- Endometrial cancer
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Metabolic syndrome —a combination of obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia , and increased tendency to blood clotting and inflammatory states
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. She will ask questions about your periods and when they first started. The doctor will also perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. She will evaluate a range of test results and symptoms:
-
Blood tests
- Androgen–free testosterone, or total testosterone, DHEAS
- Prolactin and thyroid function tests are often done
- Fasting blood sugar level and fasting insulin are recommended
- Fasting lipid profile is recommended
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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