do i have to be trying to conceive to get dianosed

my gyno just gave me birth control when i really think i have pcos all the symtoms are there. Weight gain, facial hair, AN, Skin conditions like hidradenitis, very irregular periods..............pleasee help. should i swich gynos?

Did you ask about PCOS?  If not, you should have.  If so, and the doc told you no, I would switch.   I would also find an endocrinologist. 
Your health is ultimately YOUR responsibility, and you need to do what you can to help yourself. PCOS is serious, it can cause cancer serious, you don't want to wait around and find out the hard way. 

I wasn't trying to conceive when I was diagnosed almost 8 years ago...I had an annual physical and mentioned the irregular periods, facial hair and skin tags...My MD ran the basic blood work and that is when I found out I had PCOS...From there I saw a reproductive endocrinologist who told me that until I was looking to conceive, that I should do metformin and birth control....The metformin tore my stomach up, so I gave up on that and just did the BCP, even though it is really just a band-aid....I elected to have WLS to improve my chances of conceiving in the next few years...I was re-tested after losing 80lbs and still have signs of it...I'm hoping next time it will be better, but I do remember the endocrinologist telling me that weight loss may not help my particular case...Regardless, WLS was the best thing I've done for myself...If I need in-vitro or something similar, my insurance covers it, so I'll be doing that if necessary!

Yes, switch.  I would suggest seeing an endocrinolgist...ask your gyno about seeing a specialist.  Be your own health advocate.

I didn't know skin tags were part of it too, but I have had them in my arm pits since I was a young teenager. I had them taken off twice, only to have them come back so I quit trying. I was diagnosed when I was 16. I had irregular periods accompanied by major major cramps.

Besides the physical symptoms they use to diagnose PCOS they also usually order a vaginal ultrasound. What they look for with the ultrasound is to see if your "follicles" or eggs are lining the ovarie (or in a circle). For a normal woman the follicle (or immature eggs) are kinda all overy the ovary instead of in a circle lining the ovary. That and a lot of times they order a glucose tolerance test to see if you are "prediabetic" or insulin resistant! I read several people suggested seeing an endo MD which is a good idea. Especially since the newest research is pointing towards PCOS having to deal with the Pituitary. PCOS is def and endocrine problem. Hope that helps!

Thanks everyone for the responses!  You've all been so helpful. I do believe i will swith my gyno this month.