How to Test for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Diagnosing polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is challenging because one specific test does not exist to make a definitive diagnosis. Instead, doctors look for a history of irregular periods (an indication that your body is not ovulating), high levels of androgens or hormones, and excessive body hair. Finally, doctors diagnose PCOS by ruling out other conditions that could explain any abnormal symptoms.

Things You'll Need

• An appointment with either an endocrinologist or a gynecologist
• Medical insurance or money in the bank to pay for a battery of exams and bloodwork

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Instructions

Steps a Doctor Will Take to Diagnose PCOS

• 1

  Make an appointment with your doctor for a complete physical and pelvic exam. Your doctor will look for physical signs of PCOS, such as excessive hair on the face, back, chest and lower abdomen. He or she will also look at your skin for acne, skin tags and patches of thick, darker skin on the neck, thighs and armpits. Last, the doctor will examine your scalp for any signs of male-pattern baldness.

• 2

  Share your record of your menstrual history. Be sure to track the length of each cycle and the length of time in between cycles. This will help the doctor find out if you are ovulating with any regularity.

• 3

  Get your blood drawn on doctor's orders. Your blood will be tested to measure levels of LH and FSH (hormones involved in ovulation), thyroxin, cholesterol, testosterone and prolactin. If these tests come back normal, several conditions can be ruled out, which makes a PCOS diagnosis more realistic.

• 4

  Go to the lab on doctor's orders to have a glucose tolerance test (GTT) completed. When you arrive at the lab, your blood will be drawn, and then you will be asked to drink a sugary drink. After a period of time, your blood will be drawn again. If this test is normal, diabetes or hypoglycemia can be ruled out.

• 5

  Schedule an ultrasound if your doctor recommends it. The sonogram technician, or sometimes your doctor, will be looking at your ovaries for at least 8 to 10 egg follicles that have failed to produce mature eggs. Measurements of the follicles will also be taken to see if their diameter is less than 10 mm. The follicles in a PCOS ovary often resemble a string of pearls on a sonogram. In addition, a polycystic ovary is often much larger than a healthy one. If the sonogram reveals any of these abnormalities, and steps 1 through 4 reveal other abnormalities that cannot be attributed to other conditions, then a diagnosis of PCOS can be made.