AIBU to ask if anyone has self-tested for PCOS?

[EmilyRosiEl]

Hi All,

I have symptoms that might well be caused by PCOS. My cousin and maternal aunt have the condition.

I am also unable to visit the GP practice but I've noticed you can order skin-prick self-testing kits for PCOS. I was just wondering if anyone had tried one?

I was told by they doctor they need to check 3 things for PCOS, so scan for cysts, testosterone levels and symptoms. I believe that just a blood test cannot diagnose pcos but is just an indicator. If you were to need fertility treatment they would want to diagnose you in this way so you may be best to go down that route.

Do you have a link to the test you are talking about? I’ve googled and I’m none the wiser.
To be honest I highly doubt that you could diagnose PCOS using that sort of test alone, and I would be very wary of buying anything like that online, but leaving all that aside, what would you do if the test came back positive?

You would need an ultrasound in addition to blood tests in order to diagnose PCOS.

I have pcos and needed a blood test, testotrone test and internal scan to confirm presence of qualifying cysts to be given and official diagnosis

as people above have said, its a mixture of tests to find out, plus they pretty much dont do anything unless you have trouble conceiving. I have lots of classic symptoms excess facial hair, carry weight around middle out of whack menstual cycle,

I was given meformin when trying to conceive and luckily that worked well for me, extremely well lol, both times fell pregnant within the first month of being on it after over a year of trying without it!

Friend isn't TTC & was given metaformin (sp?) for her PCOS. It gave her upset tummy so she wouldn't recommend.

If it could be accurately diagnosed with a skin prick test the NHS would not be spending money on giving people detailed blood tests and scans to diagnose it.

Even if you did diagnose it yourself at home, then what? You would still need to see the GP/gynaecologist to discuss what treatment you might need!

Metformin is amazing 5 years infertility, 8 miscarriages, now have a healthy three year old solely down to metformin. It also reduces risk of various cancers. Definitely worth a funny tummy for a few weeks

You cant diagnose PCOS with a home testimg kit! Its a combi of internal scan, blood tests looking at hormone levels etc and a host of symptoms. I didn't even trust my nhs gp to get it right....i knew i had it and luckily i have health care at work...i needed a great gynacologist who got and who diagnosed me and put me on meds (spiro and metformin) also supplements of magnesium and vit D...for me im very insulin resistant (pre diabetic) so also been referred to am endocrinologist who recommends Mediterranean diet/ low carb/ no processed food and excercise (obvs) i do all this and he says if it is still impossible to lose weight (im not mega overweight but a stone would be healthier) then he will try me on liraglutide....ive come so far in last year in terms of improving symptoms and managing the condition and im sure i will continue to improve but....the moral is dont mess about second guessing doing home testing or whatever...get your diagnosis and see experts who understand and treat you correctly. I wasted a ton of time googling things before trying all kinds of things paid out of my own pocket like laser hair removal or special shampoos or whatever for various treatments and it was a waste of time and effort when you get the right treatment plan these things improve tons.