Here are 4 of the best free symptoms of PCOS quizzes

Most of us don't know we have PCOS until something goes wrong.

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Our bodies begin to send us distress signals: severe acne, missed periods, increased weight gain and more.

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Yet, even then, an immediate diagnosis isn't guaranteed. Consider the findings of this 2017 study involving 1 385 women with PCOS from across the world. One-third of the participants said they waited two years AND visited three health professionals before they received a diagnosis.

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So, what can you do if you're worried you have PCOS? One method is free, easy, and available to you right now.

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You use an online PCOS quiz to find out if you’re experiencing the most common symptoms of this hormonal disorder.

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These symptoms of PCOS quizzes are free self-assessments compiled by medical experts. And while none of these quizzes intend to replace an official diagnosis, they can help you recognize key symptoms and sharpen your PCOS knowledge. 

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Because many of these quizzes provide a deeper understanding of the condition, you'll come away with important information about PCOS itself and your unique symptoms. And once you're done, you can share your quiz results with your doctor, hopefully promoting a deeper, more productive consultation.

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How do you self-check PCOS?

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You can conduct a quick self-assessment if you think you have PCOS right now, wherever you are. That's because medical experts agree that a few factors must be present before they make a PCOS diagnosis. These include:

• Irregular periods
• High levels of androgens
• Polycystic ovaries

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These symptoms are based on the Rotterdam criteria, devised in 2003 at a conference of medical experts. And of the criteria above, you can evaluate your menstrual cycle and androgen levels.

Based on the criteria we now have, you could self-check for PCOS using these questions:

• Are my periods regular?
• Do I have excess facial or body hair?
• Do I get frequent outbreaks?

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Perhaps, you also struggle with weight. Answer these questions:

• Do I battle to lose weight?
• Do I carry extra weight around your abdomen?

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As much as I loathe acne, I now see it as my body's way of sending me an SOS. The state of my skin has always been a massive source of stress and concern for me, but it took me years to figure out that my acne was the result of a underlying problem. I spent money on skin products. I tried every natural remedy out there. Nothing worked.

Here's the thing: none of those things were ever going to fix my problem skin because I wasn't getting to the root cause - my PCOS. Since switching to a low-carb diet and taking PCOS supplements, I've had one pimple. That's one pimple in the space of a year, and that minor outbreak only happened after I abandoned my low-carb diet during a particularly stressful period. I've now adopted an effective skin routine that combines diet, products, and treatments to prevent acne and reduce scarring.

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Like with acne, I also experienced irregular periods for most of my life. The first sign of pregnancy is typically a missed period but since my cycle had always been erratic, I was already six weeks pregnant with my son when I decided to test.

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Honestly, I wished I'd known back then that all of it - the missed periods, excess facial hair, belly bloat, and frequent outbreaks - just wasn't normal. I'd have spared myself so much despair - and money. That's where these PCOS symptoms quizzes come in. Of course, no single PCOS quiz can definitely answer the question: how do I know if I have PCOS? What a quiz can do is give you a jump off point for a better conversation with your doctor.  

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And, while the questions here can help identify part of the problem, presenting with these symptoms doesn't guarantee you have PCOS. Here's the thing: You can get regular periods even if you have PCOS. You can even have normal androgen levels, meaning you’re less likely to experience acne or unwanted body hair. That’s because there are different types of PCOS. Not all of them cause the classic symptoms of the hormonal disorder. Learn more about the different types of PCOS here: The beginner guide to the different types of PCOS.

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In some cases, you doctor will have to rule out other conditions before making a PCOS diagnosis. Either way, you're a step closer to regaining control over your body.

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To sum up: listen to your body, answer the questions as best you can, and take your results to your healthcare professional.

4 free symptoms of PCOS quizzes

The web is filled with free quizzes you can use if you suspect you have PCOS. Below, I've pulled together a selection of the best.

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1. 8 steps to reverse your PCOS quiz

The 8 steps to reverse your PCOS quiz is an in-depth self-assessment of your symptoms based on various PCOS factors, like inflammation, insulin resistance, androgen excess, thyroid function, and more.

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I first discovered this quiz while reading one of my favourite PCOS books, also called The 8 steps to reverse your PCOS. The book is by Fiona McCulloch, a naturopathic doctor who also has PCOS, and it’s a must-read if you're keen to learn more the disease.

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Each section covers a specific PCOS factor, like hormone balance or insulin resistance, and contains multiple Yes/No questions. 

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What sets this quiz apart is the level of detail in each section. When I saw these questions for the first time, I was struck by little I actually knew about PCOS. Like many people with PCOS, I was experiencing irregular periods, adult acne, and unwanted hair growth. And, like most people, I didn’t know any of these problems were related to PCOS…even after my official PCOS diagnosis.

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This isn’t because I was ignorant or negligent. Neither are you. 

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First, seeking a PCOS diagnosis isn’t always straightforward. Even medical experts agree on this point: getting an official PCOS diagnosis is tough. Then, once we’re diagnosed, we face the next obstacle. We have to find the right treatment for our PCOS. That’s hard because what works wonders for someone else might not produce the same results for you.

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That’s why I love that after you complete the quiz, you’ll get a complete, personalised assessment of your overall risk.

This assessment also provides detailed information on common PCOS symptoms.

2. EndrocrineWeb 

EndocrineWeb’s PCOS symptoms quiz is a short quiz you can use to identify potential symptoms.

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This brief quiz – it contains just seven questions – will explore your family health history and how often you get your periods. You’ll also answer questions about your fertility, skin, and weight.

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After you submit your responses, you’ll receive a risk assessment. If you answered yes to a certain number of questions, you should seek an official diagnosis.

3. Center for Young Women's Health

This PCOS symptoms quiz is similar to EndocrineWeb’s self-assessment.

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To measure your risk, you’ll answer questions concerning your:

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• Ability to maintain your weight 
• Potential skin issues
• Family history of PCOS and diabetes 

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At the end of the quiz, they’ll rate your risk. Again, like the EndrocrineWeb quiz above, the final recommendation depends on your responses. 

4. Monash University

Monash University’s PCOS symptoms quiz includes four questions that evaluate your PCOS risk.

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Apart from this quiz, Monash University has a library of PCOS resources. 

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Particularly useful is a list of questions you can ask your health professional about your PCOS diagnosis. This guide includes questions like:

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• Do I need to test for insulin resistance?
• What’s the best way to treat my irregular periods?
• Should I consult a dietician?
• Does lifestyle management help treat PCOS?

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I’m grateful I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was but I wish I had this kind of guide back then. For a long time, I believed PCOS would only affect my fertility. Only years later did I discover that my skin problems and irregular periods were linked to PCOS.  

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Use a free PCOS symptoms quiz to check your risk

Many people can go years without a PCOS diagnosis.

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A symptoms of PCOS quiz can be a helpful tool to check if you have the symptoms most commonly associated with PCOS. Then take the next step on your PCOS journey and visit a medical professional to discuss your results.

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All of this brings you closer to improving your symptoms -- and your quality of life.

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Featured image credit: Photo by Matthew Henry from Burst