Common symptoms of PCOS include:

• Irregular periods or no periods
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Excessive hair growth, usually on the face, chest, back, or buttocks
• Weight gain
• Thinning hair and hair loss from the head
• Acne

This home PCOS test measures key hormones, the chemical messengers in your blood that help control essential functions. These include your menstrual cycle and ovulation, as well as your weight and metabolism. Knowing your levels may help to explain certain symptoms.

Testosterone

Testosterone is a sex hormone that is produced in your ovaries in small amounts. Raised levels of testosterone can disrupt menstruation and cause symptoms such as acne. Women with PCOS often have increased levels of testosterone, but this result should be viewed alongside other test results, especially SHBG and FAI.

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)

SHBG is a type of protein responsible for transporting testosterone and some other hormones through the bloodstream. Your levels can be reduced in PCOS, resulting in an excess of testosterone in the body.

Free Androgen Index (FAI)

FAI is a ratio that compares your total amount of testosterone against your levels of SHBG. If your result is high, it can be a sign that the amount of free testosterone available for use in your body is higher than normal which may be a sign of PCOS.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

FSH is responsible for the growth and development of ovarian follicles and the release of an egg during ovulation.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

LH helps to control your cycle and the production of estrogen and progesterone in your ovaries. LH levels may be raised in PCOS.

Cortisol

Cortisol, often known as the "stress hormone", is released in response to stress or low blood sugar. Your levels can be raised for many reasons. High cortisol levels and some symptoms of PCOS can overlap with other disorders so it is important to share any abnormal results with your physician to help them reach a diagnosis.

Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is a hormone produced by the immature eggs (follicles) in your ovaries. Your AMH levels can help you understand your ovarian reserve (your remaining eggs) and indicates if you have more or fewer eggs than your average for your age. People with PCOS tend to have a higher level of AMH.

The primary causes and contributing factors of PCOS include:

Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin, leading to elevated insulin levels in the blood. Insulin resistance is commonly associated with PCOS and contributes to increased androgen (male hormone) production by the ovaries, leading to hormonal imbalances. 

Hormonal Imbalance: In women with PCOS, there is an imbalance of sex hormones, particularly an excess of androgens (such as testosterone) and a relative deficiency of progesterone. This imbalance disrupts the normal functioning of the ovaries and menstrual cycle. 

Low-grade inflammation: White blood cells make substances in response to infection or injury. This response is called low-grade inflammation. Research shows that people with PCOS have a type of long-term, low-grade inflammation that leads polycystic ovaries to produce androgens. This can lead to heart and blood vessel problems.