DIAGNOSIS — There is no single test for diagnosing PCOS. A woman may be diagnosed with PCOS based upon her signs and symptoms and blood tests. Expert groups have determined that a woman must have all of the following to be diagnosed with PCOS:

• Irregular menstrual periods caused by anovulation or irregular ovulation

• Evidence of elevated androgen levels. The evidence can be based upon signs (excess hair growth, acne, or male pattern balding) or blood tests (high androgen levels)

• No other cause of elevated androgen levels or irregular periods (eg, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen-secreting tumors, or hyperprolactinemia)

Blood tests are usually recommended to determine if another condition is the cause of a person's signs and/or symptoms. Blood tests for pregnancy, prolactin level, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) may be recommended.

If PCOS is confirmed, the blood glucose and cholesterol testing are usually performed. In women with moderate to severe hirsutism (excess hair growth), blood tests for testosterone and DHEA-S may be recommended.

All women who are diagnosed with PCOS should be monitored by a healthcare provider over time. Symptoms of PCOS may seem minor and annoying and treatment may seem unnecessary. However, untreated PCOS can increase a woman's risk of other health problems over time.