What is PCOS? | Speaking on Women’s Health
Let’s talk about Polycystic ovary syndrome! If you haven’t heard of it, it is time for you to know what PCOS is, how it is similar to Endometriosis and how it effects so many women.
PCOS Event
This past weekend I had the pleasure of speaking on a Women’s Health and Mom’s Self-Care panel at the Girlfriends in the Burbs MiniCon for Polycystic ovary syndrome Awareness Month. I knew of this disorder, but I didn’t know exactly what PCOS was until I got a chance to talk with women currently living life beyond the symptoms of the disorder.
Let’s just say, I now know why it is said to be a sister disorder of Endometriosis! The fight is very similar, and different at the same time.
I left the minicon realizing why it is important for women to come together and talk about their health. Google is a great resource for us all to get insight to what our health symptoms may mean, but until we are able to have an open dialogue with other women about what is happening with our bodies… We are often struggling with things that go beyond a simple convo with our doctors.
Women are often their own disorder experts before getting the answers they deserve from their doctor. And without a community of women around you to help you understand what is happening with your body, the journey can seem frustrating.
Another one of the highlights from the weekend, was being able to get some much needed Endo Sister time in!! Checking in on each others health and goals was a self-care date I’ve been needing for awhile!
What is PCOS?
According to Mayo Clinic, “(PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with Polycystic ovary syndrome may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs.”
Endometriosis and PCOS Similarities
I knew there were some similarities between PCOS and Endometriosis, like not knowing what causes it, inflammation driven, difficulty getting pregnant and irregular periods. Which often is the reason why so many women are diagnosed with one or the other initially incorrectly.
Women with PCOS can go for years without realizing their symptoms are linked to the disordered.
What You Need to Know about PCOS
Things I Learned about Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Women with PCOS often have symptoms of weight gain that can not be simply controlled by diet changing and/or exercising.
- PCOS is linked to Type 2 Diabetes.
- Women with PCOS often see facial hair appear and re-appear after
Support for Women with PCOS
If you are a women with or think you may have it, here are a few links that you should check out:
