Women living with PCOS encourage others struggling with the condition to stay strong
MTV News Update spoke to women living with PCOS during awareness month who shared their warrior stories and provided encouragement for other women who may be struggling.
PCOS is a health condition affecting how a woman's ovaries function and can result in a wide range of symptoms inclusive of irregular periods, high levels of androgen (“male" hormones), enlarged ovaries and fertility issues.
Women living with PCOS shared their stories with MTV News Update.
Avonel Williams, who battles anxiety and depression due to the condition, urges women to maintain open engagement with others.
“My advice is, try as best as you can to get help. There is no cure right now but some symptoms can be treated. You speak up, don’t stay to yourself. Reach out to people and try to get involved in things that will take your mind off what you’re going through. Get involved in activities.”
Abike Barker struggled with PCOS for three years before getting diagnosed. She encouraged women living with the condition to keep going.
“Take it one day at a time. If you consume yourself and say ‘Oh I can’t have children, oh this is the end of the world’, which is a bit of an exaggeration and you are not overreacting of course, take it one day at a time. Pray about it and you’ll be fine.”
Fareesa Mohamed is a young professional working two jobs and maintaining leadership roles in different fields.
“My humblest advice for anyone living with PCOS is to just remember that you’re not alone. There are persons out there willing to listen to your story and that can be inspired by your story. Never feel that when you’re sharing your story that it’s a burden to somebody. It can just as well be motivating.
“Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Try to be as open as you can because keeping up all of this to yourself can only become overwhelming and affect you more mentally and emotionally.”
September is recognised as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) awareness month.
PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age but remains one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in Guyana and around the world.
These women are all members of Cysterhood Support, a group 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.
The organisation has conducted a number of activities in observance of PCOS awareness month. One of these is “Teal Tuesdays” where persons are encouraged to wear teal to raise awareness and start informed conversations.
A mural has been painted at the Sea Wall. There have also been educational sessions at high schools on PCOS and menstrual hygiene, an awareness walk, a tree wrapping exercise, warriors stories and social media awareness.
Comments