Women diagnosed with PCOS are more at risk for developing life-threatening health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease, among others.

Oakland University

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is an endocrine disorder that is diagnosed in 4% to 12% of women (who are of reproductive age). Unfortunately, PCOS does not have a cure and includes several life debilitating symptoms.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Sheehan, M. T. (2004). Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management. Clinical Medicine &amp; Research, 2(1), 13–27. Retrieved July 18, 2022, from http://www.clinmedres.org/content/2/1/13.full.pdf. 

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome:
Diagnosis and Management

Symptoms of PCOS include; infertility, mental health issues, hirsutism, insulin resistance, absence of menstruation, obesity, acne, and more.

PCOS Symptoms

PCOS Health Risks

While PCOS can cause infertility and is a source of significant physical and psychological distress for people with the syndrome, focusing only on the reproductive aspect, be it from providers or patients themselves, can minimize and even obscure symptoms impacting all aspects of well being. PCOS fits the definition of chronic illness but is not always presented as a "serious" or multifaceted disorder. 

Infertility Focus: Framing PCOS as a Chronic Illness Rather Than a Reproductive Disorder

Given that PCOS is viewed primarily as a reproductive concern as opposed to a lifelong illness, well meaning practitioners advocate for weight loss (especially normal BMIs) as a primary goal for management. However, without the acknowledgement that there is no cure for PCOS and that it is a chronic illness requiring daily maintenance of symptoms, there is a risk for unhealthy thinking and behavior patterns that can exacerbate the disorder, including disordered eating, noncompliance, and more. 

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