REPRODUCTIVE health education can be undermined in our society at times. There is little to no conversation about it in your average Guyanese household, and even when it is brought up at schools and events, it’s for a “special occasion”. Believe it or not, I only found out what PCOS was about two years ago because a few people brought it to my attention. I was told that it is a very prevalent health topic, yet there is not much conversation surrounding it. Hence, I decided to share some insight on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Unknowingly enough, PCOS affects about 2-27 percent of women ages 15-44 (a woman’s childbearing years). Can you believe that? I certainly couldn’t. While the symptoms and signs of PCOS can be noticeable, it is believed that many women with this syndrome may not be aware that it is the cause of those signs they are experiencing.

An example of this may be women who have irregular periods/cycles. Their cycle is not fixed around the normal 28 days cycle as most women. They usually have skipped periods. Do you or anyone you know experience this? Well, it might be something much deeper than just an “irregular” period.

Another sign of this includes high levels of a male hormone called androgen. High levels of this hormone in women can have physical signs such as excess amounts of facial hair and/or baldness as well as severe acne. The word poly means many. Hence, the word polycystic basically means: “many cysts”. The ovaries of a woman who has PCOS might be quite enlarged or overgrown. The ovaries might also have follicles (small sacs filled with fluid) that surround the eggs. Due to this, their ovaries might not function regularly as an “average” woman.

Some other common symptoms of PCOS include heavy bleeding, weight gain, darkening/hyperpigmentation of the skin and headaches. This syndrome, in its prime can have severe effects on a woman’s body. Some severe effects include: infertility, endometrial cancer (cancer caused when the uterine lining builds up due to no ovulation or opportunity to be released), sleep apnea (pauses in breathing while sleeping, mostly common amongst overweight women who have PCOS) and the most severe and alarming effect just might be depression.

The alarming signs and symptoms might sound towering and alarming, but fear not, there are some common medical treatments available. Birth control pills and medication or Metformin (a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes) are commonly used to treat PCOS. The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome has its physical impacts, but I believe the emotional and mental effects are even more detrimental. The social anxiety and low self-esteem women may face are also just as important to consider as it relates to treatment. I am no doctor, but I have decided to use my platform to educate and inform my readers on PCOS. Together, with this information I hope everyone reading this becomes a bit more mindful of reproductive health and if by chance you’ve noticed certain signs of it within yourself or a friend/family, kindly visit a health professional.