Cysterhood Support working to help women living with PCOS in outlying communities

Acknowledging the lack of specialised healthcare for women living with PCOS outside of the capital city, Cysterhood Support is working to have support services available for women in Regions Ten, Nine, Seven and Two.

Women living with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Guyana are supported by Cysterhood Support. This is an organisation of volunteers who work to raise awareness of this disorder within Guyana, providing educational and support services to help people understand what the disorder is and how you can live with it.

The group also provides a platform for people diagnosed with PCOS to help them overcome the syndrome and decrease the impact of its associated health problems.

Founder of the Group Kimberly Manbodh said,

“We do find that it's challenging for persons in some of the Regions, Regions Ten, Nine, Seven, Two. We do plan to set up spots or to allocate persons within those to help us to raise awareness, to help us to document information and collect data so that we can better understand and get a study as to regionally, how persons are affected; if it’s more prevalent in this region or that region. But we know for sure that it’s widespread across Guyana.”

PCOS according to the Centre for Disease Control is a health condition affecting how a woman's ovaries function and can result in a wide range of symptoms including but not limited to irregular periods, high levels of androgen, enlarged ovaries and fertility issues.

Manbodh, who is a trained healthcare professional, noted Cysterhood Support reaches out to women virtually to offer support as well both with linking them to specialists and mental health services.

She adds that through their online platform, many women outside of Region Four have seen the work being done and cited difficulties accessing support where they live.

“They are asking if some of these services can be available to them as well within the regions as well. Though those areas may have a district hospital or a health centre, some of the services aren’t available or some of the specialists aren’t on board. So though you may see a general practitioner, because this is a hormonal disorder you need a specific specialist to help to reach you on that level.”

Manbodh stated that part of the reason this disorder remains severely underdiagnosed is due to the lack of awareness about it. Signs and symptoms also vary from person to person and treatment but be consistent over a long period of time before any results can usually be seen.

September is observed annually as PCOS awareness month.