PCOS self-test: How do you know if you have PCOS?

The disease can manifest itself through a variety of symptoms, but how do you know if you are affected? With our PCOS self-test you can find out how high your risk is.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders in women of childbearing age. It is a complex metabolic disease characterized by an imbalance of hormones. The syndrome can cause various symptoms, including infertility.

Various factors increase the risk of developing PCOS. These include being overweight and obese, an unhealthy diet and a lack of exercise. Early detection and treatment of risk factors, especially overweight and insulin resistance, can help reduce the risk of developing PCO. But how do you know if you are affected?

PCOS self-test: How high is my risk?

Our self-test can help you assess your personal risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Please note that this test is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis. If you have persistent health problems, you should always seek medical advice.

Answer the following questions with yes or no:

1. Do you have irregular menstrual cycles (longer than 35 days or shorter than 21 days) or do you sometimes miss your period for months?

The hormonal imbalance, especially the excess of androgens, disrupts the normal process of egg maturation and ovulation, resulting in “follicular arrest” in which many eggs begin to develop but their growth stops before they are mature enough to be released. As a result, ovulation may not occur or may occur irregularly. This can lead to longer cycles and infrequent or absent menstruation.

2. Do you have difficulty getting pregnant?

Due to the fact that they do not ovulate regularly, which significantly reduces the chances of fertilization, women with PCOS often have difficulty getting pregnant. In addition, the irregularity of ovulation makes it difficult to predict the fertile days, which makes it more difficult for affected women to determine the optimal time for conception.

3. Do you notice increased hair growth on the face, chest or stomach?

Increased hair growth on the face, chest or stomach due to an excess of male hormones is also typical of PCOS. These increased androgen levels lead to a “masculinization” of the body and genitals, which is known as hirsutism. Due to the male hormones in the blood, pubic hair can also grow on the thighs and lower abdomen, and many PCOS patients even develop a mustache.

4. Do you suffer from hair loss on the head?

Another typical symptom is hair loss on the head. The reason: The increased androgen levels, especially testosterone, are converted into dihydrotestosterone by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which can damage the hair follicles and thus cause hair loss. In PCOS patients, this typically affects the top of the head, the temples and the hairline, which is known as “female pattern hair loss” and affects more than one in four women with PCOS.

5. Do you have problems with acne, especially in adulthood?

The male hormones, especially dihydrotestosterone, stimulate sebum production in the skin. This causes pores to become clogged and inflamed more easily, which promotes the development of pimples and acne. In addition, in PCOS patients, a chronically increased tendency to inflammation in the body and possible insulin resistance often contribute to the deterioration of the skin, which can further exacerbate the acne problem.

6. Have you inexplicably gained weight recently, especially around the waist? Do you find it difficult to lose weight despite dieting and exercising?

Due to insulin resistance, which often affects metabolism, women with PCOS often gain weight and have difficulty losing it. The hormonal imbalance, especially the excess of male hormones, promotes the accumulation of body fat, especially in the abdominal area. The fact that excess weight in turn increases hormonal disorders and insulin resistance, which makes losing weight more difficult and promotes further weight gain, creates a vicious circle.

7. Do you suffer from mood swings or depressive moods?

The hormonal imbalances can also affect the nervous system and brain chemistry, which promotes mood swings and depressive moods. In addition, accompanying symptoms such as increased hair growth, sleep disorders, infertility and obesity can increase the emotional stress and increase the risk of depression and anxiety.

8. Do you have dark skin discoloration, especially in skin folds, such as on the neck or under the breasts?

Women with PCOS can also develop dark skin discoloration, especially in skin folds on the neck or under the breasts, known as acanthosis nigricans. They are often signs of insulin resistance and are caused by increased insulin levels in the blood. The high insulin levels stimulate the growth of skin cells and melanin-producing cells in certain areas, resulting in the characteristic dark, thickened patches of skin with a velvety surface.

9. Do you suffer from fatigue and lack of energy?

Since the hormonal imbalance and possible insulin resistance affect the metabolism and energy production in the body, fatigue and lack of energy are also typical symptoms. In addition, sleep disorders, which often occur with PCOS, can lead to chronic exhaustion and reduced performance in everyday life.

10. Do you have cravings, especially for sweets?

Blood sugar fluctuations also often occur. A sudden drop in blood sugar can be interpreted by the body as a lack of energy and trigger strong feelings of hunger, especially for quickly available carbohydrates such as sugar. In addition, emotional factors such as stress or mood swings can increase the craving for sweets.

11. Does your mother or sister have PCOS?

Genetic predisposition also plays a major role. Studies have shown that around a quarter of people with PCOS have mothers with PCOS and around a third have a sister with the disease. This familial clustering suggests that certain genes play a role in the development of PCOS, even if the exact genetic mechanisms are not yet fully understood.

12. Do you suffer from high blood pressure or high cholesterol?

A dangerous consequence of PCOS: high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Insulin resistance is associated with high insulin levels in the blood, which increases the risk of metabolic syndrome and thus also promotes high blood pressure and disorders in fat metabolism. In addition, the excess weight that occurs in many PCOS patients negatively affects both blood pressure and blood fat levels and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Evaluation:

0-3 yes answers: Low risk of PCOS

4-7 yes answers: Medium risk of PCOS

8 or more yes answers: High risk of PCOS

If you suffer from persistent symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor to get to the bottom of the cause and receive treatment if necessary.