Hi!

   One of the causes of PCOS is excess androgens levels. Since CAH and excess androgen levels go hand in hand, many women with CAH do have PCOS. I’ve read one paper stating that all women with CAH have PCOS, but I find that all inclusive statement hard to believe- especially in women where their CAH is well controlled.

      I’m assuming if you’re seeing an endo and are posting on this board that you have already been diagnosed with some type of CAH. I’m not sure why they’d be pegging you as having PCOS, but the symptoms are irregular or no periods, excessive hair, acne, obesity and even infertility. Except for the obesity, those are also all symptoms of uncontrolled LOCAH (or NCCAH). So if you’ve already been diagnosed with CAH they should be monitering your bloodwork and medication more closely and trying to correct your polycystic ovaries (if they in fact are polycystic) that way.

    I think PCOS has turned into something where if you exhibit the right symptoms they just call it PCOS and don’t pursue it anymore unless you’re trying to get pregnant, having horrible pain from it, or generally just harrass the doc about getting a diagnosis. It’s also something that hard to get a definitive diagnosis on. They might do an ultrasound and check your androgen levels, but seeing something on the ultrasounds is sometimes tricky and also depends on where you are in your cycle when they perform it.

    Hope this helps!

MarthaF