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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Is PCOS always this difficult to diagnose?

    Related Topics
    Infertility Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Women's Health
    I have just been diagnosed through my Gyno but I'm totally confused. I had a pelvic ultrasound a few months ago and the sonographer tell me it looked like PCOS. The written results were sent to my GP and my GP said there was nothing in the notes that indicated PCOS

    Next time I spoke to my gyno she said it wasn't PCOS but then the next time said it looked like I did so she did a blood test. The test was fine so she left it. Next I had a blood test for my progesterone levels which indicated late ovulation.

    I had given my gyno 7 months of my menstruation dates which were irregular at my initial appt a few months ago. Now she has formally diagnosed me with PCOS as she says I need to meet 2 criteria points: 1 being the ultrasound which she now tells me looks like PCOS and the other being irregular periods! She had both those pieces of information a few months ago but only now diagnoses me! She wants to start me on clomid and metformin but as my next appt is a few months away I have wait!
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  • jewel2013

    HealthShare Member

     Extended: metformin is used to lower insulin levels but Im confused as I had no testing to determine if my levels were high.I know its also used to treat diabetes but how does it work for people with PCOS TTC if no tests were done to determine which symptom needs treating?My only symptoms are irregular periods with many PMS symptoms and 7 months of TTC.I also have endometriosis and a 7 year old daughter who I concieved straight after my  first and only laporoscopy

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  • Kate Marsh

    Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE), Diabetes Educator, Dietitian

    Kate works with clients with type 1 and gestational diabetes, PCOS, and those following a plant-based (vegetarian or vegan) diet. As a diabetes educator, she … View Profile

    PCOS can sometimes be difficult to diagnose as there is no single diagnostic test and different women expereince different symptoms of the condition.  However the current diagnostic criteria are that you need to have two of three of the following: irregular or absent menstrual periods, excess male hormones (which could be found in a blood test or evident by symptoms such as acne and excess hair on the face and body) and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound.  There are some other less common conditions which need to be excluded which could also cause some of these symptoms.  It sounds like you have two of the three (irregular periods and PCO on ultrasound) suggesting you do have PCOS.  Testing of male hormone levels could also help to confirm this diagnosis.

    Clomid and metformin can help with ovulation (I assume you are wanting to try to conceive) but lifestyle changes are also important, and can help with fertility and a healthy pregnancy, so while you are waiting to see your specialist to start medication, you could begin making a few lifestyle changes. 

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  • jewel2013

    HealthShare Member

    Thankyou, I had the male hormone test but it was fine,i knew that anyway as I have none of those symptoms.What sort of lifestyle changes can I make?Im already a healthy weight of 52kg and exercise regulary and eat fairly healthy,all the info on diets were directed at overweight women so im unsure if theres a specific diet I should follow seeming as i already eat healthy?I got in to see my dr early as i couldnt wait that long and shes put me on metfornin to start off with.Iv also been taking folic acid for a few months now,is it ok to continue taking for long periods of time until i hopefully eventually fall pregnant?

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  • Women's Health Queensland Wide

    Women's Health Queensland Wide provides free health information for Queensland women. View Profile

    To add to the excellent information already ontributed and provide further education on this sometimes confusing condition you may find the following helpful.
    Just click on the links
    link

    The following link allows you to access videostreaming presentations by experts on this subject
    link

    Also you can view content re this subjuect on our YouTube channel
    link

    Brenda
    Women’s Health Educator
    Health Information Line, Women’s Health Queensland Wide

    Women living in Queensland can also call our Health Information Line - a free information and referral service for Queensland women - on 3839 9988 or 1800 017 676 (toll free outside Brisbane).

    Please note that all health information provided by Women’s Health Queensland Wide is subject to this disclaimer

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