Health
Where to look if you want to learn more about Polycystic ovary syndrome.
According to Verity UK, PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) affects one in ten people with ovaries in the UK. This figure proves just how common the condition is, and how many of us deal with it on a daily basis. Having polycystic ovaries can affect the health and lifestyle of people in a range of ways, and there are many resources out there to help you manage these symptoms. These six PCOS resources for support and information are a great place to start, and can make seeking help feel a little less overwhelming.
The three main features of PCOS are irregular periods, excess androgen (the ‘male’ hormone) and polycystic ovaries, according to the NHS. If you have at least two of these, you will likely be diagnosed with PCOS. Polycystic ovaries are when “your ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs.”
The symptoms are varied and wide-ranging, and can include weight gain, excess hair growth, and acne. While there is no cure for PCOS, there are ways to manage it, including some medicines and maintaining a healthy, balanced diet.
If you need somewhere to turn for support, or want to read up about PCOS in more detail, the NHS is a good starting point if you wish to break down the basics. Their page on Polycystic ovary syndrome covers the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment, and is particularly useful if you have been newly diagnosed, or suspect you have the condition.
However, if you want to take your research further, below are six resources – including two medical papers – that may prove useful.
Verity
Verity is the leading UK charity supporting those who’ve been diagnosed with polycystic ovaries. Their website covers everything, from supportive resources to latest PCOS news, events, and ways to donate. They have a medically verified information pack, which you can request to read about the condition with facts and information that can be trusted, too.
Visit verity-pcos.org.uk for more information.
PCOS Awareness Association
This website may prove very helpful for anyone with PCOS. Not only does it provide a wide range of reading material and fact-based resources, it also is a great place to go to for support. Those with the condition are encouraged to join the ‘Cysterhood’ to connect with other people going through the same thing, giving the organisation a lovely community spirit feel. There’s also a very handy glossary online, which explains all terms related to the condition, making it easier to speak with your doctor.
Visit pcosaa.org for more information.
Women’s Health Concern
Women’s Health Concern (WHC) is the patient arm of the British Menopause Society (BMS). The organisation offers a “confidential, independent service to advise, reassure and educate people of all ages about their gynaecological and sexual health, wellbeing and lifestyle concerns.” Their website features fact sheets, videos, and supportive resources like a telephone line to call and chat.
Visit womens-health-concern.org for more information.
Hormone Health Network
The Hormone Health Network is a health tool for patients and caregivers, provided by the Endocrine Society. As well as providing a wide range of information around Endocrinology (the study of medicine that relates to the endocrine system, which is the system that controls hormones), the specific page of PCOS is super useful and a great starting point.
Visit hormone.org for more information.
Medical papers
If you’d like to do some reading on the science behind PCOS, and the research that has been done about it, visiting PubMed is a good option. I’ve found two published works — one titled ‘A Review of Treatment Options With a Focus on Pharmacological Approaches,’ and the other ‘Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management’ — which may be worth checking out.
