Political Junkies: Who's next?

I’ve been diagnosed with polycystic ovaries—is that actually Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), or am I looking at something else entirely?

No.

Was that just an ultrasound you had done?

It is worth noting—and this is a distinction many people miss—that quite a few women have polycystic ovaries (PCO), which often doesn't cause much trouble at all and can even resolve itself without much fuss. That isn't the same thing as having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). In short, having PCO does not automatically mean you have PCOS.

If you’ve only had an ultrasound, a doctor can't officially diagnose you with PCOS, only the presence of PCO. To confirm PCOS—which involves a whole cluster of symptoms like acne, excess hair growth, irregular or missing periods, weight gain, or insulin resistance—you really need more comprehensive testing. Primarily, we are talking about checking your hormone levels, and perhaps an oral glucose tolerance test as well. If your hormone levels come back normal, yet you are still dealing with things like hirsutism, prolonged cycles, or even amenorrhea, then one must consider ruling out other conditions—such as adrenal hyperplasia or even Cushing's syndrome—which can sometimes mimic the symptoms of PCOS.

I would suggest asking your gynecologist or primary care physician for a referral for those hormone panels if you haven't received one yet; and in the meantime... well, maybe hit the gym if there's a little extra weight to shed, and try cutting back on the sugar and white flour (yes, I am repeating myself like a broken record here 😵.).

coppergardener said:No.

Did you only get an ultrasound?

A lot of women have polycystic ovaries (PCO), which usually doesn't cause major issues and can be managed easily or even resolve on its own. That isn't the same thing as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Basically, having PCO doesn't automatically mean you have PCOS.

If you’ve only had an ultrasound, a doctor can't diagnose you with PCOS—they can only identify the PCO. To confirm PCOS, you have to look at clinical symptoms like acne, excess hair growth, irregular or missed periods, weight gain, or insulin resistance. You need further testing: primarily a full hormone panel and potentially an oral glucose tolerance test. If your hormone levels come back normal but you're still dealing with things like hirsutism, long cycles, or even amenorrhea, a doctor needs to rule out other conditions, such as adrenal hyperplasia or Cushing's syndrome, which can mimic PCOS symptoms perfectly.

Ask your OB-GYN or primary care physician for a referral for hormone testing if you don't have one yet. In the meantime... watch the calories if you're carrying extra weight, and cut back on sugar and white flour (I know, I sound like a broken record 😵.).

Thanks🙏

So, I actually got diagnosed with this myself—it says HIRSUTISMUS, SY PCO E 28.2 on my paperwork... does anyone actually know what that's supposed to mean?

In medical coding, E28.2 is the specific designation used for PCOS.
Now, regarding hirsutism—which is essentially excessive hair growth in women, following a more masculine pattern (think face, abdomen, chest... particularly in the cleavage area, or even the back... especially the lower regions, etc.)—it’s important to remember that this isn't actually a diagnosis in itself, but rather a symptom.

Alright, thanks for that. I'm actually taking some pills now to help me get through it.

Hannah Bishop said:Fine—thanks. I'll just take the pills and hope they help.

The medication won't actually solve the hirsutism issue. Of course, you need to take them to balance your hormones—which is a prerequisite if you want to be able to undergo long-term hair removal treatments—but you likely already know that. A lot of women mistakenly assume the hair will just vanish once their hormone levels stabilize.