How to Diagnose PCOS/ PCOD?

PCOS/PCOD is quite a difficult condition to diagnose. Several women go through years without knowing that they have PCOS. There is no single test to diagnose the same. However, your doctors will check to find out if you at least two of the three main symptoms.

1. Your ovaries don’t release eggs, or don’t release them regularly. Your doctor will find this out by asking about how often you have periods.
2. You have high amounts of male hormones or androgens. Signs that you have high levels of these hormones include unwanted hair or spots (acne). Your doctor can also identify these by ordering a blood test to check for the amount of androgens.
3. Your ovaries are covered in small, fluid-filled swellings (cysts). It is possible to check for cysts using an ultrasound scan.

Once the symptoms are confirmed, your doctor should also conduct tests to rule out anything else that could cause these symptoms. Your doctor will also do tests to rule out anything else that could be causing your symptoms. Mostly, these an be identified by a series of blood tests.

The following blood tests need to be done to check hormone levels:

• Estradiol Test to asses the amount of estrogen generated in the blood
• FSH to detect the amount of Follicle Stimulating Hormone in the blood
• LH to check amounts of Lutenizing Hormone in the blood
• Androgen Profile to check the amount of androgen in the blood

Other blood tests that may be done include:

• Fasting glucose (blood sugar) and other tests to check for glucose intolerance and insulin resistance
• Lipid Profile to check for cholesterol level in your blood
  Prolactin
• Thyroid function tests to check how much thyroid hormone your blood produces