Resources for PCOS Awareness Month

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, affects roughly 1 in 10 women worldwide. *Gasp* I know, that sounds like a lot right? And yet, it seems like this condition that affects so many isn’t talked about nearly enough. That’s because the World Health Organization estimates that up to 70% of affected women worldwide go undiagnosed. Since September is PCOS Awareness Month, let’s do a deep dive on the signs and symptoms of PCOS, and a few tools to add to your toolkit if you’re met with this diagnosis.

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There are three defining features of a woman with PCOS: 

1. Irregular menstrual cycles 
2. High levels of androgens, which may result in symptoms like excess facial hair, body hair, and acne.  
3. Cysts may develop around the ovaries, typically identified through an ultrasound exam. 

What makes PCOS a particularly frustrating condition is that in addition to the characteristics above, there’s another laundry list of pesky symptoms. According to Mayo Clinic, this includes weight gain, skin darkening, thinning hair, mood disorders, and more. In more serious cases, PCOS is linked to infertility, as well as other serious health conditions like increased risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and endometrial cancer. It’s imperative that women facing this understand the potential consequences of a diagnosis. 

All the more confusing, lack of adequate scientific study has failed to help medical professionals identify an exact cause. Mayo Clinic suggests that some contributing factors may be: 

• Insulin resistance: A condition in which the body does not respond properly to insulin, the hormone that helps cells convert glucose in the bloodstream to energy.
• High levels of androgens: As previously mentioned, this hormone can result in bothersome symptoms and interferes with ovulation. 
• Hereditary factors: If someone in your family has PCOS, you may be more likely to develop it. 

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How does PCOS impact women of color?
Although this condition is understudied, some new research may suggest that women of color experience a higher prevalence of PCOS. A 2021 study presented at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting identified a disproportionate risk for health complications in Black women with PCOS. Their findings suggest that Black women with PCOS face higher cardiovascular risk, more insulin resistance, and increased blood pressure compared to their white counterparts.  

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Living with PCOS: 

If you’ve read some of the symptoms above and they sound all too familiar within your personal experience, not all hope is lost. It’s widely believed that certain lifestyle changes like diet and exercise can be effective in addressing the symptoms of PCOS and reversing one of the top considered causes, insulin resistance. So we’ve compiled a list of virtual resources to help you on your journey: 

Educators: 

• Charis Chambers, MD, FACOG - "The Period Doctor"
• Resilient Sisterhood Project
• Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi
• PCOS for the Newly Diagnosed: A Simple Guide to Learning What PCOS Is and How to Move Forward by Lluna Garcia
• Jo Sebastian‍

Recipes: 

• The Conscious Nutritionist
• Alejandra Sanet - @alejandrasanet_
• Souhaila Taleb - @souhailatalebhealth
• FEATR

Workouts: 

• Grow with Jo
• Akshaya Agnes
• @aliaalifts 

Supplements: 

• Black Girl Vitamins: PCOS Relief
• My Ova 
• Ovii 

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Disclaimer: This article is purely for informational purposes and is not meant to serve as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of PCOS, please consult with a medical professional first before undertaking a new healthcare regimen.

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