How do you get tested for PCOS?

[Ornela]

What kind of test is it? How much does it cost? I don't have insurance and we're currently on unemplyment.

 

[lovesdolphins]

Unfortunately it's not a single test - it's a syndrome which basically means it's a group of symptoms. Some women have insulin resistance, some don't, which is checked on some blood tests. Most women have cysts on their ovaries, which they check via ultrasound. Some have acne, and skin tags. There are other symptoms that are slipping my mind right now.

I'm not sure how you'd go about getting tested w/o insurance, b/c it can get quite expensive quickly. Most general Drs wouldn't even want to test for it, they would send you to either a Reproductive Endo, or a regular Endo if you aren't trying to get pregnant.

A site that I would recomend is soulcysters.net (and .com). The .net is mainly a message board, but you can get information from ladies that have it, and herbal remedies. The .com site is more offical information. Both are great.

 

[Ornela]

Unfortunately it's not a single test - it's a syndrome which basically means it's a group of symptoms. Some women have insulin resistance, some don't, which is checked on some blood tests. Most women have cysts on their ovaries, which they check via ultrasound. Some have acne, and skin tags. There are other symptoms that are slipping my mind right now.

I'm not sure how you'd go about getting tested w/o insurance, b/c it can get quite expensive quickly. Most general Drs wouldn't even want to test for it, they would send you to either a Reproductive Endo, or a regular Endo if you aren't trying to get pregnant.

A site that I would recomend is soulcysters.net (and .com). The .net is mainly a message board, but you can get information from ladies that have it, and herbal remedies. The .com site is more offical information. Both are great.

Actually I do have acne and I do have irregular periods.

 

[lovesdolphins]

Actually I do have acne and I do have irregular periods.

It is possible that you have PCOS, but millions of women have those two symptoms and do not have PCOS.

 

[felinity]

My first diagnosis of PCOS was made after a round of blood tests that indicated high testosterone, which is a common symptom. My second diagnosis of PCOS was made following an ultrasound which clearly showed the cysts on my ovaries.

 

[jessesgirl]

High testosterone and a tendancy to be heavier are also symptoms. Irregular or absent cycles...ack! The rest is slipping my mind. My ob/gyn basically listened to my symptoms and said that yes, I likely had it but that he wasn't going to put me through the process of testing unless I just felt I had to have it. He DID however diagnose me with chronic annov.

 

[felinity]

Acne, hair growth on the face and body, or male pattern baldness are sometimes symptoms, too. It's a syndrome because it's a collection of issues, so each person has a unique set of problems.

 

[tigercub]

In my experience, it's usually spotted on an ultrasound.

If you do have it, the best thing they can do is put you on BC anyway.