So doctors also look for these other signs that might indicate PCOS:
    * very heavy periods or irregular periods
    * weight gain, obesity, or difficulty maintaining a normal weight, especially when the extra weight is concentrated around the waist
    * a condition called hirsutism, where a girl grows extra hair on her face, chest, abdomen, nipple area, or back (a little of this is normal for most girls, though)
    * thinning hair on the head (doctors call this alopecia)
    * acne and clogged pores
    * darkened, thickened skin around the neck, armpits, or breasts (this is called acanthosis nigricans)
    * high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes mellitus (high levels of sugar in your blood)
Girls who show certain signs of puberty early — such as girls who develop underarm or pubic hair before the age of 8 — may be at greater risk of having PCOS later on.