The realities of having PCOS

I might be part of a percentage and a statistic, part of a common and known condition, but that doesn't 

make my issues any less. Recently I've been looking into the realities of having PCOS and how people 

aren't aware of the full extents that come along with having it. There is still a lack of knowledge and 

information surrounding not only PCOS but all women's reproductive conditions.

PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome is where numerous cysts form on the ovaries and when the ovaries 

produce an abnormal amount of male sex hormones. 1 in 10 women are affected by PCOS in the UK with 

over half not experiencing any symptoms at all. There is no cause or reason for if a person has PCOS, but 

it often runs in the family and there is no cure, however medication can be prescribed by a professional to 

help with specific symptoms rather than the PCOS itself. 

There are a lot of complications that can come along with having PCOS, including a higher risk of having 

type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and blood vessel issues and infertility being the most common. 

The most common signs and symptoms with PCOS are irregular periods, excess hair growth and rapid 

weight gain. For as long as I can remember I have suffered with irregular and heavy periods, but it wasn't 

something I was overly concerned about until I gained a significant amount of weight in a short amount of 

time and decided to seek help and advice from my doctor who confirmed via several tests. 

It wasn't until recently that I realised how much your energy levels can be affected by PCOS. It's very rare 

that I have a lot of energy or what I would consider a 'normal' amount of energy. There are several factors 

that go into this, including being a first time mom, but PCOS causes a hormonal imbalance leaving you 

feeling fatigued, tired and sluggish. 

With there being cysts directly on the ovaries, it causes a lack of ovulation due to the irregular periods, 

making fertility incredibly difficult. PCOS is the leading cause of infertility and is a chronic condition that 

cannot be caused. Upon my own diagnosis I was told that my chances of conceiving children 'naturally' 

would be slim. This made conceiving and having my son that much more special to me. 

PCOS is a daily struggle without necessarily realising it. So many physical and emotional complications 

that also impact your relationships and family dynamics as a result of the symptoms. Although 1 in 10 

women are affected by this condition and can relate to one another, it is something that only you will ever 

be able to understand and come to terms with. Just because PCOS is common, doesn't make it easy. 

xoxo

Lea-Mai