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PCOS is characterized by hormonal imbalances that can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, fertility, and overall health. Dr. Crawford notes that many patients report a history of irregular periods, especially after discontinuing birth control pills. This irregularity can be a clue pointing towards PCOS, as the body struggles to regulate hormones effectively without the assistive effects of the pill.
Diagnosis Criteria
To be diagnosed with PCOS, a patient needs to meet two out of three Rotterdam criteria:
Irregular or absent periods.
Signs of high androgens (male hormones), such as acne, excessive hair growth, or elevated testosterone levels.
A specific ultrasound appearance of the ovaries showing numerous small follicles, often referred to as a "string of pearls."