A physical exam for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) includes checking for:

• High blood pressure.
• Excess hair growth (hirsutism) on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes.
• Weight gain or upper body obesity and measuring your body mass index (BMI).
• Acne.
• Dark skin patches (acanthosis nigricans) on the neck, groin, or underarms or in skin folds.
• Skin tags (acrochordons) in the armpits or neck area.
• An enlarged thyroid.
• Enlarged external female genitals, such as an enlarged clitoris.

A bimanual pelvic exam and speculum exam are also done to check for enlarged or abnormal ovaries.