September is PCOS awareness month, and if you haven’t heard of PCOS, then that’s exactly why there needs to be more awareness! I’m not going to pelt you with scientific explanations which you can later Google, but I would like to share my own experience with it. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is basically one of those things that if you have it, it’s incredibly hard to explain to people, and it messes a lot of things up with your hormones, your period, your metabolism, etc. I read that over 10M women have it, and maybe only half of them are aware that they do. The symptoms usually involve irregular periods, but it can get a lot more complicated than that. If unchecked, it could lead to higher risk for cancer, diabetes, infertility, etc. Sadly, there isn’t a cure. It’s one of those things you have to live with, and can only manage with medication & other treatments. I know “diet and exercise” are usually prescribed for every single thing by doctors, and as someone who has always struggled with weight and self image, I can tell you that doctors should seriously consider not categorically attributing everything to something that could very well be linked with genetics and/or hormone-related medical issues. I have no patience whatsoever for fat-shamers, especially doctors. And yes, it’s totally okay to not feel a-OK about having PCOS. And in case you do want to know a bit more about this vague condition, head over to PCOSAA.org ✌️
Reposting because it’s September
Long overdue update, just in time for PCOS awareness month. When I first made the original post, I was pretty amazed at the response, and the virtual kinship I found with other people who also had PCOS, or who found out they had PCOS because they saw the post and went to see their doctor. Over the years, I don’t think awareness has improved all that much, and because it’s so vague and chronic, people don’t see it as a serious threat. But all the nasty little things PCOS can cause can open the doorway to a host of other diseases and conditions, like ovarian cancer, endometriosis, heart disease, diabetes, etc.
And as someone who has struggled with it since around 2011/2012 when I was diagnosed, I can tell you how difficult it is to manage, because the very thing that’s supposed to help (drastic weight loss) is pretty much going head to head with one of the main symptoms/effects of PCOS (weight gain and crap metabolism). Losing weight takes quadruple the effort because my body is always reverting back to the state of hormonal imbalance that caused the weight gain to begin with. That cruel cycle can definitely take a toll, especially in a society that loves to fat-shame and judge-by-the-cover.
Anyway, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, get checked out by your doctor so you can start taking steps to manage things. It’s a crappy hand to be dealt, but it’s not a death sentence. And if you have any questions or stories/experiences to share, please feel free to message, drop an ask, or comment
And as an additional 2020/2021 side note:
get vaccinated! Check with your doctor that you’re not on any medication that would have any lethal interactions with the vaccines. PCOS is considered a comorbidity so it does put you on the list of people who are vulnerable and need to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Hope you’re all faring well through these hard times xx
