September is PCOS Awareness Month

September is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month. PCOS is a hormone condition that known for impacting periods and affects 1:10 (including me 🙋🏼‍♀️).  In case you haven't heard of PCOS or know much about it, here's a bit more info.

The three main features of PCOS are:

💗 irregular periods - where your ovaries do not regularly release eggs (ovulate) 
💗 high levels of "male" hormones - leading to physical signs such as excess hair on your face and body
💗 polycystic ovaries - they can contain fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs (but despite the name, do you do not actually have cysts if you have PCOS).

To get a diagnosis of PCOS you need at least 2 of the above features. 

But PCOS can also impact:
💗 your ability to get pregnant as a result of irregular or no ovulation
💗 weight gain
💗 thinning or hair loss from your head
💗 oily skin or acne
💗 skin tags
💗 anxiety and depression
💗 insulin resistance 
💗 fatigue and sleep disturbances 

PCOS can also lead to other long term conditions such as endometrial cancer and type II diabetes. There is no cure for PCOS, but symptoms can be managed through lifestyle changes and medications. 

If you have any concerns about PCOS please do speak to a health-care professional.  

Info Sources: NHS.uk, PCOS Awareness Month, Dr Nitu Bajekal