A woman who has two of the following three features may be diagnosed with PCOS:
Chronic absence of ovulation (the process that releases a mature egg from the ovary) that leads to menstrual irregularities
High levels of androgen hormone that do not result from other causes or conditions
Cysts on one or both ovaries (as detected by ultrasound)
Women diagnosed with PCOS may have symptoms of PCOS, but no cysts on their ovaries. Similarly, some women have cysts on their ovaries but no symptoms of PCOS.
Chronic absence of ovulation (the process that releases a mature egg from the ovary) that leads to menstrual irregularities
High levels of androgen hormone that do not result from other causes or conditions
Cysts on one or both ovaries (as detected by ultrasound)
Women diagnosed with PCOS may have symptoms of PCOS, but no cysts on their ovaries. Similarly, some women have cysts on their ovaries but no symptoms of PCOS.
