Challenges in diagnosis and health care in polycystic ovary syndrome in Canada: a patient view to improve health care

Sydora, Beate C.; Wilke, Michaelann S.; McPherson, Maggie; Chambers, Sarah; Ghosh, Mahua; Vine, Donna F.

doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02732-2

Table 2 Survey respondents’ experience of symptom onset and diagnosis

From: Challenges in diagnosis and health care in polycystic ovary syndrome in Canada: a patient view to improve health care

Symptom experience		N [%]
*Symptoms first noticed*^a	Menstrual irregularities	162 (83.5)
	Excess hair growth	98 (50.5)
	Body weight gain	96 (49.5)
	Acne	93 (47.9)
	Infertility	35 (18.0)
	Other symptoms^b	39 (20.6)
*Symptoms that led to seek medical help*	Menstrual irregularities	144 (74.2)
	Body weight gain	63 (32.5)
	Excess hair growth	56 (28.9)
	Acne	51 (26.23)
	Infertility	53 (27.3)
	Other symptoms^c	24 (12.4)
	Other reasons outside of symptoms^d	8 (4.1)
Time frames [years]	range	[mean ± SD]
*Age at first seeking medical help*	10–42	19.98 ± 6.14
*Age at diagnosis*^e	13–36	24.01 ± 6.12
*Time between first seeking help and diagnosis*	< 1–20	4.25 ± 5.86
Diagnosis		N [%]
*Clinician who made PCOS diagnosis*	Family doctor	98 (50.5)
	Referred specialist	73 (37.6)
	More than one family doctor or referred specialist^f	110 (56.7)
*Information about PCOS-related potential long-term health complications*	Received information at diagnosis	47 [24.2]
	Did not receive information at diagnosis	135 [69.6]
	Not reported	12 [6.2]
Recommendations and treatment	Themes from open questions^g	N [%]
*Information provided*	Pregnancy/fertility-related information	20 [10.3]
	Verbal information including diabetes risk	7 [3.6]
	Verbal information including high blood pressure	3 [1.5]
	Verbal information including mental issues	1 [0.5]
	PCOS information printout/website	4 [2.1]
*Recommendation and advice*	Loose weight	28 [14.4]
	Exercise	3 [1.5]
	No to worry until wish for babies	9 [4.6]
	Consult naturopath	1 [0.5]
*Prescription*	Birth control	35 [18.0]
	Metformin	16 [8.2]
	Letrozole	2 [1.0]
	Spironolactone	2 [1.0]
	Clomid	1 [0.5]
	Ozempic	1 [0.5]

^aRespondents could choose more than on answer
^bInclude fatigue, severe cramps, pain, migraines, hair loss
^cInclude fatigue, severe menstrual bleeding, severe lower abdominal pain, hair loss
^dInclude IUD check up, pap test, physical exam, ultra sound for pain
^en = 5 respondents reported that their have not received a definite diagnosis of PCOS
^fmay include one or more than one Family doctor, Endocrinologist, Gynecologist, Obstetrician, Fertility Specialist, Naturopath or alternative medicine practitioner
^gmore than one information of recommendation could have been provided

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ISSN: 1472-6874

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