When women come to my office with any one or all of the following complaints from no periods to excessive bleeding, difficulty losing weight, excessive hair growth and acne or infertility, I see this as an important opportunity to change a woman’s life for the better. Many of these women have seen many other health care providers, who more often than not aren’t able to provide a diagnosis or who may not be able to provide a comprehensive plan of care. Many women with PCOS have symptoms that impact their appearance, their self-esteem, sense of shame and guilt as well as fears of infertility.
Using the Rotterdam Criteria for diagnosis provides an objective starting point for evaluating women. A diagnosis of PCOS can be made if 2 out of the following 3 conditions are met: Signs of hyperandrogenism such as hirsuitism, acne, absence of regular ovulation and/or seeing 10 or more small cysts on 1 or both ovaries with an ultrasound.
