Could my symptoms be related to PCOS / PMOS?

Why this symptom checker exists

Between 8 and 13% of women of reproductive age are affected by PCOS, recently renamed PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome) internationally (Endocrine Society, 2023). Yet up to 70% of them go undiagnosed for years, experiencing what clinicians call "diagnostic wandering." This checker does not diagnose — only a doctor can do that, based on clinical examination, blood tests, and sometimes ultrasound. But it can help you structure your symptoms, name them with precision, and decide whether a medical appointment is warranted. If you would prefer a phenotype-oriented result, our free PMOS / PCOS quiz applies the Rotterdam algorithm in about 4 minutes.

The official diagnostic criteria for PMOS (revised Rotterdam criteria, 2023) require at least two of three elements: oligo-anovulation (irregular or absent cycles), clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism (acne, hirsutism, elevated testosterone), or polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound. This checker explores these dimensions alongside the metabolic and psychological manifestations often under-evaluated in short consultations.

For young women under 18 or women in perimenopause over 45, symptoms and diagnostic thresholds differ. See our dedicated pages: PMOS in teenagers and PMOS and menopause. For reference, the ACOG Practice Bulletin 194 (2018) specifically addresses PCOS diagnosis and management in adolescents.

How to answer with accuracy

The quality of your result depends on the honesty of your answers. Key points to consider:

• Don't minimise. If your cycles vary between 35 and 50 days "but it's manageable," tick the box anyway. What is manageable can be clinically significant.
• Don't over-interpret either. A single symptom in isolation — a bit of acne at 20, a slightly delayed cycle after a stressful period — is not sufficient to suggest PMOS.
• Take your time. Five minutes of genuine reflection is worth more than a quick response. If a symptom seems variable (present some months, absent in others), assess its frequency over the last 6 months.
• Complete after tracking your cycles. If you are unsure about your cycle length, track 3 consecutive cycles before returning to this checker.

This checker is designed as a consultation preparation tool, not a mass medical screening tool. Its result has value only when contextualised by a healthcare professional. The NHS (CKS PCOS guidelines, 2023) and ACOG recommend a systematic approach combining clinical history, examination, and investigations.

Interpreting and using your result

Based on your score:

• High score (≥ 8/12): your symptoms are consistent with a PMOS profile. See a gynaecologist, GP with special interest in women's health, or endocrinologist within 4 to 6 weeks. Bring this checker result and, if possible, a 3-month cycle log. Mention the term PMOS/PCOS to the doctor — PMOS is the new international name since May 2026.
• Intermediate score (4-7/12): several suggestive symptoms but not sufficient to conclude. Track your cycles for 3 months, use the symptom tracker daily, and redo the checker. If the situation hasn't changed, book an appointment.
• Low score (< 4/12): lower probability of PMOS, but a single very marked symptom (severe hirsutism, prolonged amenorrhoea) still warrants a medical opinion at a routine appointment.

Whatever your score, print or note the detailed result. If you are also using the doctor summary tool, incorporate your score and the symptoms you ticked.

What this tool cannot do

This checker is not a clinical diagnostic tool. The Rotterdam criteria require a pelvic ultrasound and hormonal blood tests (FSH, LH, free and total testosterone, AMH, thyroid function to rule out differential diagnoses). No online questionnaire can substitute for these investigations.

This checker is not validated for women under 18 (cycles take 2-3 years to regulate after first periods) or for women on hormonal contraception (the pill masks hormonal symptoms of PMOS). If you have been on the pill for several years, answers about cycles and hirsutism may not be representative of your situation off contraception.

For acute symptoms — sudden pelvic pain, haemorrhage, neurological symptoms — seek emergency care immediately (call 999 in the UK, 911 in the US, or go to A&E).

Frequently asked questions

I have a high score but regular cycles — is that possible?

Yes. PMOS can present without cycle irregularity — particularly phenotype D (sometimes called "ovulatory PCOS"). In this case, hyperandrogenism (acne, hirsutism) and/or polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound may suffice for diagnosis under Rotterdam criteria. A high score with regular cycles still warrants a consultation.

How long should I wait between two checker attempts?

At least 3 months, ideally after systematically tracking your cycles (with the cycle tracker). PMOS symptoms can fluctuate with seasons, stress, and weight — a single attempt may miss an important pattern.

How do I present this result to my doctor?

Show them the detailed result directly (which symptoms you ticked, which you didn't). Simply say: "I used this checker to prepare for the appointment — here's what I ticked." Avoid leading with your numerical score, which could be interpreted as a request for diagnostic confirmation.

Perfect score — do I still need to consult?

A low score does not guarantee the absence of PMOS. If you have one particularly marked and unexplained symptom — severe hirsutism, amenorrhoea lasting more than 3 months, cystic acne resistant to topical treatments — consult regardless of the score. The checker is an orientation tool, not a certificate of good health.

I have significant hirsutism but a low score — what should I do?

Severe hirsutism (Ferriman-Gallwey score ≥ 8) is a strong diagnostic criterion for PMOS, even in the absence of other symptoms. Don't underestimate it. If your overall score is low but hirsutism is marked, consult — and ask for free and total testosterone testing. ACOG and NICE both recommend investigating unexplained hirsutism regardless of other criteria.

When should I suspect something other than PMOS?

Several conditions share symptoms with PMOS: hypothyroidism (fatigue, weight gain, amenorrhoea), hypothalamic amenorrhoea (severe caloric restriction or stress), hyperprolactinaemia (nipple discharge, irregular cycles), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (early-onset hirsutism). This is why testing should include TSH, prolactin, and 17-OH-progesterone to rule out these differential diagnoses — as recommended by the Endocrine Society 2023 guidelines.