PCOS, short for Polycystic ovary syndrome, affects millions of women every year. PCOS is a hormonal disorder in a woman’s body that causes enlarged ovaries or ovarian cysts. Some of the symptoms include irregular menstruation, infertility, depression, weight gain, and more. This condition is incurable and is known to last for years or the rest of a woman’s life.
Rebecca Thomas was diagnosed with PCOS approximately two years ago and has been experiencing symptoms ever since then and has even been hospitalized. When Thomas was hospitalized and seeked advice from doctors, they gave her ibuprofen to help with the pain, informed her she had ovarian cysts, and told her to seek medical advice from a gynecologist. When asked how this condition has affected her life Thomas stated, “It definitely takes a toll on your mental health and I have cramps on the daily.” Some things Thomas does to temporarily help with her pain is using a heating pad, taking hot showers, and applying pressure to the area. She experiences pain every single day and she’s still figuring out the treatment that works best for her.
Health Indicators
Being educated about PCOS and other serious conditions like ovarian cysts can help encourage women to consult their doctors about these issues. Since there’s no single test that determines if a woman has been diagnosed with PCOS, it’s important to be aware of other indicators. Keeping track of periods is a great way to start. There are many apps such as Flo and Clue that can help track periods. When having irregular periods or a lot of physical pain, it’s important to consult a doctor or OBGYN. The next step from there is speaking with the doctor about medical history and getting a physical exam. The doctor may then recommend a pelvic exam, blood tests, ultrasounds, and most importantly treatments. Some treatments include self care such as weight loss and physical exercise. Statin, anti-diabetic medicine, and hormones are all forms of medication that help control body organs and blood sugar levels.
In most cases, it’s not normal to be in the worst pain of your life when menstruating. Women’s bodies are put through so much and this condition can be very serious. Some women may not have access to the expensive costs of doctors and health exams so it’s important to note that there are several natural treatments. Healthline lists thirty natural remedies to help with PCOS. Women deserve to know about the conditions that can affect our bodies and what to do if it ever happens.