September is PCOS Awareness Month and we encourage you to share your knowledge of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).
Up to one in ten women may have PCOS, a major cause of infertility. Over half of these women may know they have it. PCOS manifests itself in different ways, making it difficult for doctors to diagnose it.
There are also no specific tests for PCOS, and diagnosis is based on a series of tests. These might include pelvic exams, ultrasound, blood tests, and an analysis of symptoms. All this can easily lead to misdiagnosis or to no diagnosis at all.
Patients may dismiss symptoms
Two other issues are important to consider. The first is that some symptoms may be embarrassing for some patients to talk about. The second is that these symptoms may be dismissed by the patients themselves.
Symptoms of this kind include:
- Hirsutism: growth of excessive facial or body hair
- Acne
- Fast weight gain
- Irregular periods and period pain
Luckily things are changing, largely as a result of the efforts of PCOS patient organisations. They help spread the word about the syndrome and offer advice. They also provide a symptom checklist for women to peruse before they consider visiting their Doctor.
Partners need educating on PCOS
But there is still work to be done in generating awareness of the disease in both patients and their partners. After all, infertility impacts both partners in a relationship.
Here are some tips on dealing with the PCOS journey as a partner:
1. Empathy
Show support to your partner. As one patients said, “PCOS isn’t treated with enough sensitivity. Few of the symptoms are visible, so people pass it off as period pain, which makes you feel invalid.”
The truth is that patients, in the early stages before final diagnosis can be passed from one healthcare professional to another. This causes frustration and anxiety in sufferers. A partner can be very helpful in validating those feelings as perfectly natural in the circumstances.
2. Encouragement
Support your partner in her persistence to get the right diagnosis. Reinforce the fact that she is doing to right thing in seeking medical attention. Whenever possible, accompany her on doctor visits for moral support, and let her know that you know that she is the best judge of how she should feel about the situation.
3. Learn
Educate yourself about the condition. You won’t be able to offer much support if you don’t have a clue what she or the health care professionals are talking about! There are plenty of resources both online and available in print that cover the subject.
This is particularly important when a partner is diagnosed, because up until that point, it may be that she is not aware of PCOS. Having a little knowledge to hand can help to relieve anxiety and fear. It shows commitment to the partnership to learn about her condition.
4. Manage the condition together
It may be that, once diagnosed, treatment includes modification to diet and lifestyle. This should be shared, so don’t let her be alone in this! Help out where you can and support any lifestyle changes she wants to make. For instance, learn to cook meals that align with the nutritional advice given.
5. Reach out
A diagnosis of PCOS can be emotionally overwhelming for couples. Consider reaching out for external advice and help such as counselling. Remember that you are a team, and that advice and help is not just for her but for you too. This will help you both to work through the diagnosis and treatment, which for infertility may include IVF together.
Supporting your partner with PCOS, should help you both carry on your lives together healthily and happily as you face the challenges of PCOS.
Please click here for more information.
