PCOS (recently renamed PMOS) is a complex hormonal syndrome that can affect periods, fertility and mood. No two cases of PMOS are identical, with many people experiencing varying degrees of symptoms. Discussing PMOS symptoms, even in a medical setting, is difficult if you’re not sure which questions to ask or how best to advocate for the support you need.
The team of experts at Fertility Family has put together this list of PCOS questions to ask your doctor, so that you can speak to your GP or fertility specialist with confidence.
Key takeaways: PCOS/PMOS questions to ask your doctor
- Diagnosis: PCOS (PMOS) is confirmed when two of three criteria are present – irregular periods, high androgens, or polycystic ovaries – so ask which tests your doctor will use to reach yours.
- Treatment: Ask what medical and lifestyle options suit your symptoms, and whether a specialist referral or supplement support fits your plan.
- Fertility: If pregnancy is on your mind now or later, ask how your diagnosis affects fertility at your age and what follow-up monitoring looks like.
- Supplements: PCOS types vary, so ask which ingredients, like myo-inositol, D-chiro-inositol, or vitamin D, are suitable for you.
How is PCOS or PMOS diagnosed?
Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian syndrome (PMOS) is diagnosed using specific criteria, after ruling out other health problems or pre-existing conditions which may be causing symptoms. At least two out of three typical PMOS symptoms must be present for a doctor to diagnose PMOS:
- Irregular periods
- High androgen (male hormone) levels
- Polycystic ovaries
There is no single test used to diagnose PCOS/PMOS. Instead, doctors may use a variety of tests to check your health, including:
- General medical history: Discussing your periods, any symptoms and your family health history
- Physical examination: Measuring your weight, taking your blood pressure, discussing acne, hair growth, etc.
- Blood and hormone tests: Measuring metabolic markers, hormone levels and blood sugar levels
- Pelvic ultrasounds: Search for multiple small sacs called follicles within the ovary, which may indicate polycystic ovaries
- “Rule-out” testing: Tests to make sure other conditions are not causing symptoms
What questions should you ask your doctor about PCOS/PMOS?
Asking your doctor questions about PCOS shouldn’t just focus on achieving a diagnosis- they can also help you advocate for the treatment and care you need moving forward if you are/have been diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS.
PCOS questions to ask your doctor during testing and diagnosis
When under investigation for a potential PMOS/PCOS diagnosis, it’s important to ask questions that will give you a clearer insight into how your doctor will test you:
- What criteria will you use to investigate and diagnose my symptoms?
- Will I have tests to rule out other conditions that could be causing my symptoms, like testosterone or thyroid function testing?
- Will I be screened for insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes? If I have already been diagnosed with either, how will my existing conditions be taken into consideration during diagnosis?
Remember, even if you’ve already been diagnosed with PMOS, you can still ask your doctor these questions retrospectively. You should always feel empowered to ask about past and present testing and your results.
Questions to ask about PCOS treatment
You should always ask your doctor questions about what PCOS treatment options are available to you, so that you can make an informed decision about your next steps:
- What are the different treatment options available to me?
- Are there different medical or lifestyle treatments I can take to help with specific symptoms, like fatigue, acne, or painful periods?
- Should I take PCOS supplements to support my reproductive health alongside my treatment plan?
- Are there referral options to specialists that you can make to help me manage my particular symptoms?
Asking the right questions can also help you to adjust your treatment should your symptoms change or evolve over time.
Fertility-focused PCOS questions to ask doctor
If you’re currently trying for a baby or are planning to have children in the future, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about how your diagnosis may affect your fertility moving forward. This information will help you to take the right steps to support your reproductive health:
- How may a PCOS diagnosis affect my ability to get pregnant in the future?
- Will my symptoms affect my fertility at my current age, or in the future?
- Can I schedule regular follow-up visits to monitor my fertility and reproductive health?
- If I become pregnant, can PMOS affect my pregnancy?
Finding out that you have a syndrome which may affect your fertility can be distressing. Remember, you don’t have to face the diagnosis alone. As well as asking your doctor about physical treatment plans, you can also seek mental and emotional support, such as tailored counselling services.
Should I ask questions about PCOS fertility supplements?
Yes, it’s important to ask a doctor or fertility specialist specific questions about PCOS fertility supplements. As PCOS/PMOS affects hormone and metabolic health differently, what works for one person may not work for another. This means that the questions you ask and the fertility supplements you take should be tailored to your unique circumstances:
- Insulin-resistant PCOS: Fertility supplements for insulin-resistant PCOS typically contain myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol combined with alpha-lactalbumin to ensure adequate absorption of the inositols. Up to 38% of PCOS women struggle to absorb myo-inositol from food sources or supplements alone. Myo-inositol is a secondary messenger for insulin and improves insulin resistance.
- Inflammatory PCOS: Fertility supplements for inflammatory PCOS specifically focus on lowering inflammation and reducing oxidative stress to support metabolic health and fertility.
- Lean PCOS: Fertility supplements for lean PCOS include myo-inositol to aid in the restoration of regular menstrual cycles and lower higher androgen (male hormone) levels.
Ask your doctor about PCOS/PMOS supplements from Fertility Family
At Fertility Family, our PCOS supplements are specially tailored to provide support to people with a PCOS diagnosis or symptoms. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or have been managing your symptoms independently for years, Fertility Family supplements, Inofolic Alpha and Inofolic Alpha Plus, deliver results backed by science. Ask your doctor or a fertility specialist about incorporating PCOS supplements into your daily routine.
