I was only MOSTLY dead

PSA Time: 7 things every woman should know about polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (known as PCOS) is one of the most common hormone disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in every 5 women!

1. Doctors don’t know who’ll get it and who won’t

PCOS symptoms generally manifest as a series of bead-like ovarian ‘cysts’, that wreak havoc on each of our body’s glands. Whilst we know the most common physical outcome of the illness, we don’t know why some women develop it and others don’t, and not every women with PCOS will get these cysts either. Confusing, huh? Because so much is still uncertain, it’s impossible to predict who will develop PCOS. It can often run in families, and is related to hormone levels, including insulin production, but any woman can be affected by the condition, and if you’re have it, it’s not because you’re at any kind of fault.

2. The symptoms are varied

The symptoms of PCOS actually vary dramatically by person; more than half of women don’t have - or believe they have - any at all. Some of the most common signs and symptoms include, oily skin and recurring acne, irregular, infrequent or absent periods (known as amenorrhoea), excess facial and body hair growth, head hair loss or thinning, and weight gain. Women looking to fall pregnant may also face difficulties, due to the irregular ovulation and an increased risk of miscarriage the condition causes.

3. And some are more surprising than others

As if experiencing all of the above wasn’t enough, women with PCOS also have higher levels of depression – for some, caused both by the hormonal imbalances of the condition, and others, by the resulting difficulties it presents. You may also have a higher instance of skin tags, especially around the neck and armpits, get dandruff more frequently, develop high blood pressure, and even have a deeper voice as a result of PCOS – giving you a pretty good idea of just how much of your body is controlled by hormones…

4. It’s tough to get a diagnosis

But it’s worth fighting for regardless. There is no single test that can diagnose PCOS. This may be another reason so many women are suffering without realising it! Your doctor should confirm PCOS if you present with two or more of the following: ovarian cysts, disrupted ovulation and/or high androgen levels. The gold standard of diagnosis is to have an ultrasound scan and a blood test. 

5. Diet can have a massive impact on PCOS

Being overweight increases the amount of insulin your body makes, which is why your weight can have a direct impact on your PCOS symptoms. Eating a well-balanced, low GI diet with a rainbow of vegetables, good quality proteins (beans, pulses, nuts, seeds, lean meats, fresh fish, eggs) and healthy fats. These healthy fats can also help regulate the insulin sensitivity. Think avocado, nuts, seeds, almonds, eggs, whole grains and flax seeds. Avoid or dramatically reduce all processed foods, caffeine and alcohol. And never crash diet!

6. Medication can help too

There are various medications that may be prescribed to help manage your symptoms, whether that’s Metformin for those battling insulin resistance, Clomid to induce ovulation, or Aldactone for hormonal skin imbalance. However, there isn’t yet one single medication that can address the underlying causes. If you choose to take the conventional approach, you need to work on the underlying causes and lifestyle changes at the same time.

7. It can impact other areas of your health

According to Rollercoaster Tycoon, this is what two thousand people drowning at once looks like.