PCOS affects women in different ways, so not all women will have all the related PCOS symptoms. Some women will experience only mild symptoms, while others will experience a wider range of more severe symptoms. Not every woman with polycystic ovaries (PCO) will have PCOS and not every woman with PCOS will have polycystic ovaries.

PCOS diagnosis is straightforward using the Rotterdam criteria, even when the syndrome is associated with a wide range of symptoms. It is usually diagnosed using a combination diagnostic tests such as an ultrasound scan, blood tests and history taking. Your doctor may also check your blood pressure and, if you are overweight your blood sugar level. Once a diagnosis has been made, your doctor may refer you to a specialist, usually a gynaecologist, a doctor who specialises in women's reproductive systems or endocrinologist, a doctor who specialises in hormones.