Diagnosing PCOS in women who want to become pregnant
PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is a common hormone condition affecting women of childbearing age. Diagnosing PCOS early is essential for women who want to become pregnant because this condition can affect ovulation and cause irregular menstrual cycles, leading to infertility. Our San Antonio fertility specialists explain that a polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis is a two-part process: confirming PCOS symptoms and ruling out other causes.
PCOS is defined by a group of symptoms
PCOS is a “syndrome,” which means it’s a group of symptoms frequently found together. Most commonly these include:
- Irregular menstrual cycles, which can include periods that come too often, are infrequent, or are absent altogether
- High levels of androgens (male-type hormones that all women have, usually in low amounts) in the bloodstream
- Effects of high androgen levels, like unwanted excessive hair on the chin, chest, and body, acne, or thinning hair
- An unusually high AMH level, or multiple ovarian follicles (“cysts”) located on the ovary periphery, not explained by age alone
PCOS can be associated with other issues, including:
- Insulin resistance
- Central obesity, including extra weight around the midsection
- Elevated cholesterol and lipid measurements
- Elevated blood pressure, or hypertension
- Impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes
A polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis is made by confirming some or all of the above symptoms, once other causes have been ruled out. PCOS is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning your fertility specialist must exclude other reasons why these symptoms may be present.
From symptoms to diagnosing PCOS
Diagnosing PCOS begins with the doctor taking your medical history and performing a physical exam. Our San Antonio fertility specialists will likely order a pelvic ultrasound to provide images of the patient’s ovaries and uterus. The doctor will review the ultrasound images for cysts, check the uterine lining for growths or abnormalities, and identify any other areas of concern.
Bloodwork will usually also be done, to look for conditions not present on physical exam, and to rule out other endocrine problems.
Diagnosis and treatment can resolve fertility issues
Identifying the barrier to fertility caused by PCOS provides the opportunity to begin treatment and the path to pregnancy. If you have PCOS symptoms and want to become pregnant, or if you are currently having difficulty becoming pregnant, the expertise of a fertility specialist can help.
Our San Antonio fertility specialists can guide patients through the process of diagnosing PCOS and getting treatment to improve fertility. Contact Texas Fertility Center San Antonio for an appointment to learn more about polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis.