Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder for women in their child-bearing years in which regular ovulation is disrupted. It is lifelong, incurable and won’t just ‘go away’- but it can be managed. When women seek their doctor’s advice because they think they have PCOS, they are met with resistance and often told that it’s just their hormones’ natural fluctuations or that they “just need to exercise and eat better.”
Does this not highlight the need for women to be even more proactive about their own reproductive health? That means not taking “nothing is wrong” for an answer. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness about PCOS has led to a few myths. Let’s dispel some of the most common myths today in this post so you can be aware and able to support yourself or others:
PCOS does NOT have the same symptoms for all women. There are many signs of the condition such as insulin resistance, short cycles, irregular periods, excessive hair growth, acne, weight gain and more.
PCOS does NOT only develop when a woman gains a lot of weight. PCOS can occur as early as the first menses for a woman. In some cases, the condition develops in response to weight gain, however PCOS is not conditional to being overweight.
Women of ALL races and ethnicities are at risk of PCOS. Your risk of PCOS may be higher if you have obesity or if you have a mother, sister, or aunt with PCOS.
If you have PCOS you are not automatically infertile. While PCOS is a factor for many women’s infertility, many women with the condition can get their hormones in balance simply by changing their diet and exercise routines.
PCOS is a ‘big deal’, EVEN if you are not trying to conceive. If PCOS is left untreated, it has been known to develop into more serious health conditions. 6-10% of the entire female population have PCOS, and all women who are suffering from the condition should seek the treatment of their doctor to help get the symptoms under control and prevent further detriments to their health.
All in all, please remember to care for your reproductive health and others- its important.
Written by Zahra Peer Mohamed
Media by Ben Hyland
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