Having irregular periods is a definite symptom of PCOS. However, there are many things that can cause irregular periods, and PCOS is not the only one.
First, if you are a teenager who has only recently gotten her first period, or an older woman approaching ovarian failure (or menopause), irregular cycles are very common because your hormones are fluctuating. If you lose a significant amount of weight or are under a lot of stress, your periods may be affected as well.
Medically speaking, hypothalamic amenorrhea, pregnancy, and other hormonal conditions can all cause irregular or absent periods. It’s even possible for a woman to be born with a structural abnormality that can prevent her from getting a period, such as not having a uterus or cervix.
PCOS is diagnosed when a woman has irregular periods in addition to signs of elevated androgens, either by her symptoms or through blood testing. Symptoms of high testosterone (one type of androgen) include abnormal hair growth, hair loss, and acne.
If your periods suddenly become irregular or if they never become regular as a teenager, you should bring it to your doctor’s attention. Further diagnostic testing and/or medical intervention may become necessary.
