A self-report checklist that compares your symptoms against the Rotterdam criteria — the framework doctors use when assessing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a screening and awareness tool only. It cannot diagnose PCOS — only a doctor can do that, using blood tests and, where needed, an ultrasound.
PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a common hormonal condition affecting the ovaries, thought to affect roughly 1 in 10 to 1 in 8 women of reproductive age. It is associated with irregular periods, higher-than-typical androgen ("male-type") hormones, and/or polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound. The Rotterdam criteria are the internationally recognised framework — endorsed by the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS — used by doctors to assess the condition. This screener checks your self-reported symptoms against those criteria for awareness purposes only.
⚕️ Medical Notice: This tool cannot diagnose PCOS. A proper diagnosis requires blood tests (to check androgen levels and rule out other causes such as thyroid disorders) and often a pelvic ultrasound, both performed and interpreted by a doctor. Several other conditions can cause similar symptoms and must be excluded first. This screener is for awareness and symptom-tracking purposes only — always see your GP or gynaecologist for assessment.
| Criterion | Status |
|---|
Doctors use the Rotterdam criteria to assess PCOS. Under this framework, a diagnosis in adults generally requires at least 2 of the following 3 categories to be present, once other causes have been ruled out by a doctor:
This screener can only ask about self-reported symptoms — it cannot run a blood test or read an ultrasound. Category 1 is assessed from your reported cycle pattern. Category 2 is assessed from the physical (clinical) signs of excess androgen you report — it cannot measure blood androgen levels. Category 3 needs an ultrasound performed by a clinician, so this tool only asks whether you have already been told about a relevant scan result; it cannot assess ovarian morphology itself. If your answers indicate 2 or more categories, that is a signal worth discussing with your doctor — it is not a diagnosis.
| Category | What It Covers | Can This Screener Assess It? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ovulation | Irregular, infrequent, or absent periods (oligo-ovulation/anovulation) | Yes — from your reported cycle pattern |
| 2. Hyperandrogenism | Hirsutism, persistent acne, male-pattern hair loss, or raised blood androgens | Partly — only the physical signs, not blood results |
| 3. Ovary morphology | 12+ follicles (2-9mm) or increased ovarian volume on ultrasound | No — requires a clinical ultrasound |
Many people live with PCOS symptoms for years before receiving a diagnosis. Symptoms like irregular periods or acne are often dismissed as "normal" variation, can build up gradually, and overlap with other conditions such as thyroid disorders. Because no single blood test or scan confirms PCOS on its own, doctors need a clear symptom history to know what to investigate. Tracking which symptoms you have noticed, when they started, and how your cycles behave before your appointment can help your doctor ask the right questions and order the right tests sooner. A checklist like this one is meant to support that conversation, not replace it.
Several conditions can cause symptoms similar to PCOS and need to be excluded by a doctor before a PCOS diagnosis is confirmed. These include thyroid disorders (both underactive and overactive thyroid can disrupt periods), hyperprolactinaemia, non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and other rarer causes of excess androgens. This is one of the main reasons blood tests are a required part of diagnosis — this screener has no way of distinguishing PCOS from these other conditions.
Can this screener diagnose PCOS?
No. This screener only compares your self-reported symptoms against the Rotterdam criteria categories for awareness purposes. It cannot run blood tests, cannot see your ovaries on ultrasound, and cannot rule out other conditions. Only a doctor can diagnose PCOS, using your clinical history, blood tests, and often an ultrasound.
What are the Rotterdam criteria?
The Rotterdam criteria are the internationally recognised framework doctors use to assess PCOS, endorsed by the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS. They cover three categories: irregular or absent ovulation, clinical or biochemical signs of excess androgens (hyperandrogenism), and polycystic ovary morphology on ultrasound.
How many of the 3 criteria do I need for a PCOS diagnosis?
Under the Rotterdam criteria, a diagnosis generally requires at least 2 of the 3 categories to be present, once a doctor has excluded other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Meeting only 1 category, or meeting 2 categories on a self-report checklist like this one, is not the same as a confirmed clinical diagnosis.
What counts as irregular periods for PCOS?
Irregular periods are commonly defined as menstrual cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, fewer than 8-9 periods per year, or periods that have stopped altogether (amenorrhoea). This pattern reflects irregular or absent ovulation, which is Category 1 of the Rotterdam criteria.
What is hyperandrogenism and how does it show up?
Hyperandrogenism means having higher-than-typical levels of androgen ("male-type") hormones. It can show up clinically as hirsutism (excess hair growth on the face, chest, or back in a male pattern), persistent or severe acne beyond the teenage years, or male-pattern scalp hair thinning or loss. It can also be confirmed biochemically with a blood test, which this screener cannot perform.
Do I need an ultrasound to be diagnosed with PCOS?
Not always. Under the Rotterdam criteria, a diagnosis can be made from any 2 of the 3 categories, so someone with irregular periods and clinical hyperandrogenism may not need an ultrasound. An ultrasound becomes relevant when a doctor needs to assess polycystic ovary morphology as one of the 2 required categories, particularly in adults with only 1 other feature present.
What other conditions can cause similar symptoms to PCOS?
Thyroid disorders, hyperprolactinaemia, and non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia can all cause irregular periods or signs of excess androgens similar to PCOS. Doctors use blood tests to rule these out before confirming a PCOS diagnosis, which is one reason this self-report screener cannot replace clinical assessment.
Why does PCOS often take years to diagnose?
Symptoms such as irregular periods or acne are often dismissed as normal variation, develop gradually, and overlap with other conditions. Because no single test confirms PCOS on its own, doctors rely on a clear symptom history to know what to investigate, which can delay diagnosis if symptoms were never tracked or raised with a doctor.
What tests will my doctor use to diagnose PCOS?
Your doctor will typically take a clinical history and examination, then arrange blood tests to check androgen levels and rule out other causes such as thyroid disorders. Depending on your age and symptoms, a pelvic ultrasound may also be arranged to assess ovarian morphology. Diagnosis is based on the combined clinical picture, not any single result.
Can I have PCOS with regular periods?
Yes. Since the Rotterdam criteria only require 2 of the 3 categories, someone with regular ovulation could still be diagnosed with PCOS if they have both clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary morphology on ultrasound. This is why a doctor's full assessment matters more than any one symptom alone.