Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Awareness Month
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, PCOS for short, is a common hormonal condition that can affect how a person’s ovaries function. Higher-than-normal androgen levels, often referred to as male hormones, can contribute to symptoms such as excess facial or body hair and/or acne, while irregular or absent ovulation can affect menstrual periods and fertility.
PCOS affects roughly 1 in 10 people assigned female at birth of childbearing age, with a higher risk of diagnosis if it runs in your family. Treatment for the condition can include lifestyle changes such as weight management and regular exercise, hormonal medications, metabolic medications and ovulation induction.
As part of PCOS Awareness Month, I spoke with Megan Lulham, who found out she had PCOS after four years of A&E visits for increased abdominal pain. After several visits, Megan was given an internal ultrasound, which led to her being referred to gynaecology.
“It was quite a fight to be referred to gynaecology. I kept attending A&E until one doctor finally referred me. Eventually, an ultrasound diagnosed me with PCOS, and I had a laparoscopy in May 2024 which confirmed that I also had endometriosis.”
With the process of getting diagnosed taking around two years, Megan says she felt relieved after the surgery.
“I knew there was something wrong and this surgery helped me realise I wasn’t crazy.”
On the route to diagnosis, Megan experienced heavy periods, excessive body hair growth, extreme bloating and absent periods.
“My periods were extremely heavy. It was debilitating. I would go through pads and tampons so quickly that I didn’t want to leave the house. I also experience intense bloating during my periods, and sometimes my period doesn’t come. At one point, I went over a year without a period, and when I went to the doctor about it, I was told that everybody’s cycles are different, and this could be normal. They would also routinely ask me if I could be pregnant, which I wasn’t. I also have excessive body hair, which grows so fast and in places that it isn’t necessarily ‘normal’ for women, like above my lip.”
Despite the array of symptoms Megan has experienced, the one thing that affects her the most is the potential fertility problems that she may have.
“I was told that the likelihood of creating a family without any support from fertility treatments, could be very slim.”
During a typical menstrual cycle, several follicles begin to develop in the ovary. Usually, one becomes dominant and releases a mature egg during ovulation. In PCOS, hormonal changes can affect the normal development and release of an egg. These follicles can give the ovaries a ‘polycystic’ appearance, which is where the name PCOS comes from. However, despite commonly being referred to as ‘cysts’, they’re actually follicles rather than true ovarian cysts.
“I was told that the follicles were mainly on my left ovary, and that this could affect how well it ovulates, which has made me worried about my fertility.”
Despite getting used to her symptoms over the years, Megan doesn’t live a ‘normal’ life. When she experiences a PCOS flare up, she’s in a significant amount of pain, preventing her from eating because of the nausea, going to work or seeing her friends and family.
“I’m incredibly lucky to have such an amazing partner, who is so supportive when I’m having a flare up. We both know that I won’t be doing anything until it’s under control. He makes me hot water bottles and makes sure I’m as comfortable as possible.
Even though Megan experiences both physical and mental health symptoms, she tries to look at the positive impact her diagnosis has had.
“I’ve learnt how to understand and love my body, even through the flare ups. My body changes so much throughout the month, and, at first, I was very self-conscious, especially about the bloating, but now I embrace it. I understand that it won’t last forever and it’s just a quirk about my body.”
Before she was diagnosed, Megan says it would have been great to know how many women actually live with PCOS.
“For those of you who are in the process of diagnosis, I would advise that you stay persistent with chasing your GP. In my experience, I had to keep seeking medical help before I was eventually referred to gynaecology. It may be frustrating but the more noise you make, the more likely you will be listened to.”
Megan believes that more information and awareness surrounding PCOS would make the condition seem less scary to those that may have it.
“You know your own body. PCOS isn’t nice to have but you don’t need to be scared. Once you get the diagnosis you’ll feel relieved and you’ll deal with the rest as it comes.”
