Polycystic ovary syndrome physical examination
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
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Overview
Physical Examination
Your doctor will take a medical history, perform a physical exam, and possibly take some tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms. He may also check your body mass index.
Symptoms
Signs are:
- Multiple small follicles on the ovaries (10 or more) (one form of ovarian cyst). Sonographically they may look like a string of pearls.
- Enlarged ovaries, generally 1.5 to 3 times larger than normal(volume >20mls), resulting from multiple peripherally located small follicles and echogenic ovarian stroma.
- Thickened, smooth, pearl-white outer surface of ovary on laparoscopic examination.
- The ratio of LH (Luteinizing hormone) to FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) is greater than 1:1, as tested on Day 3 of the menstrual cycle.
- High levels of testosterone.
- Low levels of sex hormone binding globulin.
- Hyperinsulinemia.
It is important to know that PCOS can present in any age. Many can be diagnosed as young children, some might not present until after menopause. It is vital to find a PCOS knowledgeable doctor to catch this disorder as many miss the diagnosis - sometimes for years.
Vital Signs
During the physical exam the doctor will want to measure your blood pressure.
Skin
He or she also will check out the areas of increased hair growth, so try to allow the natural hair growth for a few days before the visit.
Abdomen
Your doctor will also want to check your waist size. He might want to do a pelvic exam to see if your ovaries are enlarged or swollen by the increased number of small cysts.