The Important PCOS Diagnosis Criteria You Need to Know for Fertility
Listen up! The PCOS diagnosis criteria is something you need to get clear on in order to help your fertility. At first glance, it may not seem like such a big deal. But not getting clear on this PCOS diagnosis criteria is one common PCOS fertility mistake.
Don't let this happen to you!
Instead, take this powerful information and use your PCOS diagnosis to set a strong foundation to help improve your fertility.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the number one top causes of female infertility.
PCOS doesn't only affect fertility. Any woman (or person with female hormones) can have PCOS during her reproductive years. It's during these years when PCOS is most often felt in the body because it can lead to irregular cycles and irregular bleeding.
It can also cause a variety of hormone imbalances that can cause symptoms like irritability, weight gain, acne and unwanted hair growth.
In the post-menopausal years, even if someone doesn't have a period, PCOS is still significant because it can increase the chances of certain cancers like endometrial cancer.
Top symptoms of PCOS
If you're wondering if you have PCOS, first you will want to do a quick scan of your body to think if you have some of the top symptoms of PCOS. These are the most common ones.
Irregular cycles
Long cycles
No ovulation
Acne
Unwanted hair growth in areas like the chin, upper back, belly, upper thighs
Easy weight gain, especially in the belly
PCOS Diagnosis Criteria
If you're having one, or a few of those symptoms then your next step is to go in and ask your doctor about the PCOS diagnosis criteria and if you fit into it.
The PCOS diagnosis criteria has three parts. You need to fit into at least two out of three of these in order to be diagnosed.
Some doctors will diagnose just based on the signs and symptoms you have when you talk with them in their office. Other doctors will order tests to make sure PCOS is the correct diagnosis.
PCOS Diagnosis Criteria #1: Ovulation Issues
Remember when I mentioned that PCOS is one of the number one causes of female infertility? These ovulation issues contribute to that quite a bit.
Because if no ovulation happens, that means no egg can meet with the sperm and no baby can be made. Does that make sense?
Ovulation issues can show up in a variety of ways. Ovulation issues can show up as irregular cycles or long cycles. Talking with a doctor about the length and regularity of your cycle can give them hints to whether or not you have PCOS.
There are also ovulation tests that can show if you ovulate or not. Some are at-home tests like temperature tracking or ovulation predictor kits (OPKs). And others are done in a lab or the office like progesterone blood tests, or ultrasounds.
PCOS Diagnosis Criteria #2: Elevated Androgen Hormones
Ever heard of testosterone? That's an androgen hormone! These androgen hormones are typically "male-pattern" hormones because they are naturally elevated in males or people with male hormones. The other androgen hormone important with PCOS is DHEA.
This may be surprising, but females also need testosterone, just a much smaller amount than males! And in order for fertility to be at it's peak, these testosterone and androgen levels need to stay low. But unfortunately PCOS causes androgens to rise too high.
These elevated androgen hormones are what cause those pesky symptoms like unwanted hair growth and acne.
But those are just surface symptoms.
Underneath the surface? Those androgen hormones are shutting down ovulation. And again...no ovulation? No baby.
Sometimes your doctor can diagnose you with elevated androgens just based on the signs and symptoms you present with in the office, like how much acne or unwanted hair growth you have.
Hot tip! If your doctor is asking you about unwanted hair growth but you tweeze, or get your hair removed, make sure to mention that! Your doctor needs to know if unwanted hair growth is an issue for you, not just if it is happening today.
Testing is another option to evaluate these hormones. You can get testosterone and DHEA labs ordered to look at your exact numbers.
PCOS Diagnosis Criteria #3: Cysts on the Ovaries
Are you surprised that having cysts on the ovaries is not a mandatory part of the PCOS diagnosis? The reason that may be surprising is because polycystic means "many cysts". You may think that having cysts on the ovaries is necessary to getting diagnosed with PCOS, but that's not the case!
Not everyone with PCOS has cysts!
Sometimes you may be able to feel the cysts on your ovaries, particularly if they are about to burst or if they do burst. That can be pretty painful and something you will definitely notice!
Cysts on the ovaries are typically only diagnosed with ultrasound.
Sometimes the lab anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) can be used as well, but an ultrasound will give you the most definitive information.
And here's the thing. I'm not just talking about having one cyst on one day that will thrust you into the PCOS diagnosis.
You actually need to have at least 12 or more cysts on one ovary in order to be diagnosed with "many cysts". Anything under 12? It's still considered normal.
PCOS Diagnosis Criteria #4: Exclude Other Conditions
This criteria #4 is an extra one that is often forgotten. Your doctor needs to be sure that there are no other issues going on in your body that are causing the symptoms that look like PCOS.
Why The PCOS Diagnosis Criteria is Important for Fertility
You are now really familiar with the fact that there are three different set of criteria for the PCOS diagnosis and you need at least two out of three of them in order to be diagnosed.
Ask your doctor to explain which of the three criteria make up your PCOS diagnosis. You will take this information forward and use it to help you improve your fertility.
Here's what I mean.
The PCOS diagnosis is made up of these three criteria that we've talked about. So the two parts of your PCOS diagnosis could very well be different from your friends PCOS diagnosis.
You may be struggling with both elevated testosterone and ovulation issues. But your friend? She could have cysts on her ovaries, ovulation issues and yet no elevated testosterone.
Is your friend going to need a testosterone-lowering plan like you are?
No!
Should it be expected that the same fertility plan will work for both of you?
No!
One Common PCOS Fertility Shortfall
A common shortfall for PCOS fertility is the idea that one fertility medication (okay, maybe 2 or 3) will work for everyone with PCOS.
When those medications don't work, the doctors shrug their shoulders and say they don't know what to do next.
If there were a magic pill for PCOS fertility, everyone who wanted to would be able to get pregnant. You and I wouldn't be here talking together. But we know that right now, that's not the case, is it? Not even IVF can guarantee results 100% of the time.
The Missing Link for PCOS Fertility
But what is possible is figuring out a PCOS fertility plan that is specific to your unique PCOS needs.
Now let's also be clear that having a PCOS fertility plan also won't guarantee pregnancy 100% of the time, but it will help uncover missing pieces to your fertility journey and help improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Do you see how if you have elevated testosterone and cysts on your ovaries, you will need a plan that is different from your friend who has ovulation issues?
PCOS doesn't fit into a one-size-fits-all approach and you don't want to fall into the trap thinking that it does.
Use your PCOS diagnosis criteria to find a practitioner who understands the power of specifically treating each unique aspect of your PCOS needs in order to improve your chances of getting pregnant.
If PCOS has left you feeling fed up and like you're failing as a woman you are not alone.
There is hope
Get the fertility care you need in order to increase your chances of getting pregnant with PCOS.
Start by booking a PCOS Fertility Breakthrough Session here.
Excited about this article and ready to learn more about PCOS fertility? Here’s where you need to head next:
Ultimate Guide to PCOS Fertility
How to Improve PCOS Fertility With These 10 Valuable Tips
Getting Pregnant With PCOS Quickly: 3 Truths You Need to Know
