PCOS – The Hidden Battle Many Women Face
By Cat Daczkowski
Hook: PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects 1 in 10 women. When I was 18, and ready to explore my newly founded freedom at university, I was diagnosed with it. I want to share my experience to help others who may be suffering from the symptoms but are too scared to seek help.
I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in my first year of university. At first, I didn’t fully understand what it was, but as time went on I began to worry more and more about what my diagnosis meant for my future. I began to feel really depressed, and even though my doctor suggested a contraceptive pill to help with the symptoms, I was a hormonal mess. What was supposed to be my first year of freedom, became a year of stress.
The first symptom I suffered with was irregular periods, in fact, I spent 9 months without one until I approached my local GP surgery. Why did it take me so long? I was scared. My grandmother died of cancer when I was around 9, so when I experienced things going wrong, I instantly thought of that. If you take anything from this article, please let it be that if you experience this yourself, go to your GP as soon as possible.
At first, after my diagnosis, I felt no difference in myself, but as time went on I would notice the pain, mood swings, excessive acne and hair growth more and more. When the symptoms worsened, my excessive need to google also increased, and as I read that I may suffer from infertility in the future, my heart sank.
The scary thing is, PCOS affects 1 in 10 women, and the lack of awareness that is spread about it is worrying. The symptoms of the condition can have major effects on the lives of the people who suffer from it, and the fact that the contraceptive pill is prescribed as a ‘treatment’ is worrying due to that carrying its own side effects to some.
Though there is no ‘cure’ for the condition, the contraceptive pill does work for most, and through the use of it, the symptoms can be eased. If you suffer from hirsutism, ask your GP to prescribe you with ‘Vaniqa’, a facial cream that slows the rate of hair growth where applied.
PCOS is an uncomfortable hidden condition that affects a surprisingly large portion of the population. I believe it’s important to raise awareness of it, to help others who may be experiencing it already, or are suffering from similar symptoms.
Go over to the NHS website to read more about PCOS.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/
