Physical exam for polycystic ovary syndrome
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Physical exam for polycystic ovary syndrome
A physical exam for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) includes checking for:
- High blood pressure.
- Excess hair growth (hirsutism) on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes.
- Weight gain or upper body obesity and measuring your body mass index (BMI).
- Acne.
- Dark skin patches (acanthosis nigricans) on the neck, groin, or underarms or in skin folds.
- Skin tags (acrochordons) in the armpits or neck area.
- An enlarged thyroid.
- Enlarged external female genitals, such as an enlarged clitoris.
A bimanual pelvic exam and speculum exam are also done to check for enlarged or abnormal ovaries.
Credits
| Author | Bets Davis, MFA |
| Author | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Samuel S. Thatcher, MD, PhD - Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology |
| Last Updated | January 23, 2008 |
| Last updated: | January 23, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Samuel S. Thatcher, MD, PhD - Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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