We all know women(by nature/biological) have “visits” where during that time, they bleed, and though like everything else in this world, this is another experience that is different for each woman varying from when it begins, length of it, how much, all that is considered normal and more.

Now you wonder, what does PCOS have to do with this? Well, PCOS or in full words Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition that affects women, described as a syndrome rather than a disease because it shows up as a group of signs and symptoms that can occur in any combination.

It is caused by a hormone or insulin imbalance that affects how a woman’s menstrual cycle usually goes, it is also hereditary, either parent can be a carrier.

There are several symptoms that show if one has PCOS. One is Oligomenorrhea, which is when women have prolonged periods of no menstruation for 36 days or more, and lack ovulation.

Then, there might be Hyperandrogenism, which is the excessive presence of the male sex hormones testosterone, androsterone, and androstenedione which is the cause of excess hair growth, loss, and acne.

It is understandable that with the above information one may be scared. As a matter of fact, many who are diagnosed with this syndrome end up feeling depressed or with anxiety due to body image and possible infertility but to assure you, Estella (not actual name) shared her experience with IGIHE.

When she was diagnosed with this syndrome years after having been experiencing some of the symptoms for a couple of years, she could not decide if she was relieved or sad.

For years, doctors told her that her weight was an issue even though they most likely did not know enough about the condition.

This felt more like body shaming because she has always been plus-size, so with every prolonged period which can cause serious anemia to some. She dreaded going to hospital even more.

Then, in her 20s when most ladies get diagnosed, she was told she had PCOS by a doctor who saw her as more than just an overweight girl, and she started a treatment that is now helping her get her menstrual cycle back on track.

Ladies during their periods go through a lot but add PCOS and you get longer painful and heavy bleeding, not to mention how it can affect them physically and emotionally.

If you know someone with similar symptoms or you are one yourself, know you are not alone. Get diagnosed by a specialist (Gynaecologist) and get yourself the help you deserve.