Do you have PCOS?
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is an endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting up to 20% of women of childbearing age making it the most common hormonal disorder and cause of infertility in women of reproductive age.
PCOS involves hyperandrogenism (excess production of male sex hormones) and chronic anovulation (meaning fewer than 10 periods in one year or cycles of over 35 days).
This syndrome requires a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning doctors need to rule out other possibilities such as hypothalamic amenorrhea, hypothyroidism, and hyperprolactinemia in order to properly diagnose PCOS in a patient. Misdiagnosis is common and many women remain undiagnosed and have no idea they have the syndrome. This is quite frustrating and harmful because without proper treatment, the risk for chronic complications like cardiovascular disease and diabetes increases.
There are several criteria to follow for a PCOS diagnosis:
Per the Rotterdam criteria you need to display atleast 2 out of the following:
Irregular ovulatory cycles or anovulation
Excess androgen levels on blood test or symptoms of excess androgens
Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound
According to the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society (AE-PCOS), androgens are a mandatory factor for a PCOS diagnosis:
Androgen excess (hirsutism and/or hyperandrogenemia)
Evidence of ovarian dysfunction (oligo-anovulation and/or polycystic ovaries)
This means that no you don’t need to have polycystic ovaries to be diagnosed with PCOS, I know, confusing huh?
There must of course be exclusion of other etiologies. Make sure you receive a proper diagnosis from a medical professional and rule out all other diagnoses as PCOS can mimic conditions such as Hypothyroidism, Hypothalamic amenorrhea, and Hyperprolactinemia.
PCOS is characterized by:
High androgens
Irregular or missing ovulation
Insulin resistance
Increased LH to FSH on blood test
Decreased SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
Hyperlipidemia
Hair loss or thinning of hair
Hirsutism (excess hair growth on facial area, chest, belly, back..)
Polycystic ovaries (they look like a string of pearls on ultrasound)
Just because you have PCOS doesn’t mean you fit into every single one of these categories, and just because you tick off some of these boxes doesn’t necessarily mean you have PCOS either!
To receive a diagnosis you need to assess:
Symptoms
Blood tests (such as FSH, LH, testosterone, DHEA-S, SHBG, prolactin… download my lab guide here on some tests to ask your doctor)
Transvaginal ultrasound
Commonly, with a diagnosis, patients are given pharmaceuticals such as the birth control pill, metformin, spironolactone, or clomiphene citrate.
However, they are not taught about how nutrition and lifestyle habits make a significant impact on the development and severity of PCOS.
Though PCOS is a complex disorder with no confirmed causes, genetic and environmental influences have been studied and noted as potential triggers for PCOS.
Listen to my podcast episode for more on the causes of PCOS.
When it comes to understanding PCOS and reversing symptoms, we need to address the core underlying imbalances, not just apply a band-aid.
Still feeling stuck with your PCOS? If you are looking to manage your PCOS holistically by addressing the root cause of your symptoms, Elevate You is my holistic program that teaches you everything you need to know using the mind-body-spirit approach.
Disclaimer: Information on this site is intended only for informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before implementing changes. Read additional disclaimer info here.