think i have pcos

i have been having irregular periods for the past year, missed two, and 6 or 7 have been one to two weeks late, only a few have been on time, i went to the doctors the first time it happened cause i thought i was pregnant (nope), my face has been breaking out on my jawline, it seems like when my hormones are getting crazy i grow this thin blonde hair on my face but as soon as they calm down it just goes away, I get really bad cramps and sometimes even when im not on my period, i get skin tags, and darkened skin patches on my thighs, but my question is, is this something you get as a teen or can it start in adulthood(im 24) and what kind of test did you do to check it?

My doc sent me to an endocrinologist when I was in my late twenties / early thirties. He first ran a test for hirsuitism (hairiness) that measured my testosterone (which was very high) and some other hormones. When that came back with abnormal levels, he sent me to a specialist. 

PCOS is something that you always have but may not manifest itself until your reproductive years.

It sounds like you have all of the symptoms, all right.  You need to tell your OBGYN that you want to be tested for it.

thanks for the info, i guess i'll be calling my OB in the morning, thanks again!!!

I see that you're a few years post op...how were your cycles before you had WLS?  Chances are that you have always had it but just didn't know.  Your OB/GYN can run FSH/LH levels and check their ratio.  They can also do a fasting insulin level to check for insulin resistance and a pelvic ultrasound to check for the cysts.  I didn't realize I had PCOS until I was in my early 20s...I think I was 22?  Regardless it is something that you'll always have if you have it.  I also suggest checking out www.soulcysters.com ...it's a support/informational website about PCOS for women with PCOS. Good luck!  If you do have it...it's not the end of the world...it opens a door into cysterhood!   Oh yeah...and if your OB isn't that knowledgeable about it...ask for a referral to an endocrinologist.  Kristy

well im about 3 1/2 years out, but i've always had problems with the acne and hair growth that comes and goes, but my periods were always clockwor****il about a little over a year ago and they havent been the same since, right now im 8 days late again, it just keeps happening, its proble been on time 2-3 times in the past year, its really annoying, im always worried im going to go somewhere and its just going to start, I know its managable, i will just be happy to find out whats causing this. thanks for the info and the forum, i'll be sure to visit it. thank you.