Creating a Survey Instrument for Self-Assessed Menstrual Cycle Characteristics and Androgen Excess

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive disorder in women, but tools for self-reported ascertainment are currently lacking. We created and evaluated an online survey instrument for identification of PCOS by incorporating clinically derived reproductive health questions and a novel pictorial tool for androgen excess. The survey was cognitively tested for question comprehension and usability. Comprehension problems included simplifying the PCOS definition and questions on bleeding duration. Recall and answer formation problems included beverage consumption and questions using symbols. Evaluation of this survey instrument via cognitive testing may help to accurately ascertain the prevalence of PCOS in general population settings.