The early signs of PCOS that are often overlooked

Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome often become apparent during late teens or early 20s, according to the NHS website.

- BY CAMILLA FOSTER

WARNING SIGNS: Having irregular periods can be a sign of PCOS

Here Dr Lucy Hooper, co-founder of Coyne Medical, explains what the current diagnosis process for PCOS involves, and highlights some early subtle signs to look out for.

What are the main features of PCOS?

Irregular periods, excess androgen levels and polycystic ovaries are the three main features of PCOS that doctors look out for.

“For PCOS, we look for signs of excess androgen levels, such as testosterone,” says Dr Hooper. “Secondly, we look for signs that your ovaries are not functioning as usual... that your periods are not regular, or that you are not ovulating regularly.

“Thirdly, we look for polycystic ovaries, which is something that you see on an ultrasound. It’s when you have lots of tiny fluid-filled follicles on the ovaries that looks like a string of pearls.”