Can You Have PMOS With Regular Periods? What Women Often Get Wrong

Dr. D. Sandhya Rani, Lead Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, KIMS Hospitals, Mahadevapura, Bengaluru

Many women have a regular menstrual cycle, so they think of this as an indication that the hormone levels in their body are as they should be. Therefore, they may not associate conditions like acne, excessive body hair, unexpected weight gain, or thinning of hair with a case of PMOS.

One of the biggest myths about PMOS is that the diagnosis requires a history of irregular or absent periods, which is not true. PMOS is a complicated metabolic and hormonal disorder, and its symptomatology differs among women.

Regular periods do not always mean regular ovulation

There is a closely related relationship between menstruation and ovulation, but the two are not synonymous. Some women show regular menstrual symptoms while not ovulating every month. This is even more relevant in case of PMOS or suspected PMOS.

Therefore, it is possible for a woman to have their periods on time every month, but still require evaluation if they show signs of PMOS.

PMOS is not simply about periods or ovarian cysts

It is commonly misunderstood that PMOS is diagnosed only with irregular menstruation or cysts being detected through the ultrasound. However, the diagnosis actually involves taking multiple factors into consideration.

Depending on the used criteria, PMOS diagnosis may include elevated levels of androgens or signs of excess androgen production, ovulatory dysfunction, etc. Also, differential diagnosis is required for various states that can produce similar symptoms as is the case of PMOS.

Symptoms beyond the menstrual cycle matter

Women tend to concentrate only on their monthly period and miss the other signs. Accumulation of acne, hirsutism, thinning hair on the scalp, difficulties with maintaining a healthy body weight, insulin resistance, and other metabolic changes may play a valuable role in diagnosing PMOS.

However, no single one of these signs can prove the existence of PMOS on its own. All of them must be evaluated in combination with the medical history of the patient, medical examination results and lab tests if necessary.

When should you seek an evaluation?

It should be advised to visit a gynecologist or endocrinologist for consultation if you have been suffering from signs of androgen excess, unexpected changes in metabolism, fertility issues or have a strong suspicion that you have PMOS, even when having regular menstruation.

To put it simply, regular menstruation is a good sign but cannot give you a complete picture of the hormonal health state.

It’s important to note that the diagnosis of PMOS turns up differently in different women, thus it would be wrong to rely solely on the regularity of the period.

Dr. D. Sandhya Rani, Lead Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, KIMS Hospitals, Mahadevapura, Bengaluru