𝗣𝗖𝗢𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦 𝗣𝗠𝗢𝗦… 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨’𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗨𝗗𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣. Save this before your next doctor’s appointment. The name change matters. PMOS means Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. But let’s be honest… A new name does not magically mean every doctor will suddenly understand your symptoms, investigate properly, or stop fobbing women off. So you need to know what to say. Because too many women still walk in asking: “Do I have cysts?” And then get told: “Your scan looks normal.” “You don’t have cysts.” “Your bloods are fine.” “Just lose weight.” “Go on the pill.” And they leave with no answers. So here is what to do 👇 1️⃣ 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗖𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗦 PCOS/PMOS is not just about cysts. No cysts does not mean no PCOS. Normal looking ovaries do not mean normal hormones. Instead, say this: “I would like to be assessed for PCOS or PMOS based on ovulation dysfunction, androgen excess and metabolic risk, not just whether I have cysts on a scan.” Write that down. Take it with you. Read it out if you need to. 2️⃣ 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡 Do not just say “my hormones feel off.” Be specific. Tell them if you have: • Long cycles • Missing periods • Very light bleeds • Brown spotting • Acne • Chin hair • Chest hair • Hair thinning • Oily skin • Weight gain around the middle • Sugar cravings • Energy crashes • 3am wake ups • Bloating • Extreme PMS • Fertility struggles • Negative pregnancy tests • Signs you may not be ovulating This matters because PMOS is about the pattern. Your hormones. Your metabolism. Your ovulation. Your androgens. Your blood sugar. Your cycle signalling. Not just what your ovaries look like on a scan. 3️⃣ 𝗔𝗦𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗩𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 Say: “Can we confirm whether I am actually ovulating?” Because bleeding is not the same as ovulating. You can have a period and still not be ovulating properly. And if you are trying to conceive, missing ovulation is not a small detail. It is the whole point. And no it’s not day 21 bloods that work!! 4️⃣ 𝗔𝗦𝗞 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡 Not just “basic bloods.” Ask about: • Total testosterone • Free testosterone or free androgen index • SHBG • DHEAS • Androstenedione if androgen symptoms are strong • LH and FSH • Oestradiol • Progesterone to confirm ovulation • Prolactin • Thyroid markers • 17-OH progesterone if needed • HbA1c • Fasting glucose • Fasting insulin if available • Full lipid profile • Liver markers • Vitamin D • Ferritin • B12 • Folate 5️⃣ 𝗜𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗬 𝗦𝗔𝗬 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗜𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗟, 𝗦𝗔𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 “Can PCOS or PMOS still be considered based on my cycle pattern, ovulation signs, androgen symptoms and metabolic symptoms?” Because this is where too many women get dismissed. The old way focused too much on: “Do your ovaries look polycystic?” The better assessment asks: Are you ovulating? Are your androgens high or acting high? Is your metabolism showing signs of stress? Have other causes been ruled out? That is what women need. Not a pat on the head. Not “come back when you want a baby.” Not the pill thrown at symptoms with no investigation. You are not being difficult for asking. You are not overreacting. You are asking for your body to be assessed properly. SAVE THIS. Take it to your doctor. Use the sentence. Ask for the assessment. Your body is not random. It is signalling. And someone needs to read the signal properly. Comment SAVED if you’re taking this to your next appointment so more women see it. Nikki x #pmosdiagnosis #PMOS #PCOSAwareness #PCOSDiagnosis #PCOSSymptoms