The Hidden Epidemic
Well, it is very difficult to start something I was never comfortable talking about. So, last year I was diagnosed with PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome). It is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to release eggs regularly. There are a lot of long-term complications included type 2 diabetes, heart disease, infertility, and ovarian cancer. It is scary, isn’t it?
I was worried and scared to visit a gynecologist because I thought only married women are supposed to go there. She examined me and prescribed me to go through some tests just to make sure everything else is fine. The ultrasound test proved that I had the disorder, and my treatment started. For me, the treatment period went well because my doctor and parents were very supportive.
I could not thank enough to have such a great family behind my back that will not let me get worried even for a second. But I cannot say that the last year till now was a very peaceful time for me. Many people in my life do not know what I was going through. Why was I gaining weight? Why was I getting unwanted acne? Why was I always sad and scared? Why was I avoiding their company? They only saw me smiling, so they thought that everything was fine, and I am okay. The thing that disturbs me that most when these people are always pointing out at my insecurities and making me feel uncomfortable around them. Like it is their foremost duty to do all of that.
It is very natural that when you find out that you are suffering from something, you will get worried. Anxiety sucks, and you made yourself unintentionally sad, you feel alone even when you are not, and sometimes you do not even know what is wrong. Let me tell you one thing that worrying does not take away your tomorrow’s troubles. It takes away your today’s peace. And to fight with this disease, we need peace.
Remember this:
You’re fine exactly as you are.
Your curves, words, flaws, strengths, thoughts.
You don’t need to change.
You aren’t ugly, fat, stupid, or worthless.
You are you.
You are important for you.
Live at peace for you.
When I was diagnosed, I was scared and ignorant and was thus misguided. And that is why I want to talk about it; to tell you that 1 out of 10 women in the world in their childbearing age suffers from PCOS. To tell you that despite it being one of the most common causes of infertility, it is treatable! Not many people knew about this syndrome, and our irregular periods were often associated with stress and an unhealthy lifestyle (which might also be a case of irregular cycles or the cause of PCOS).
When we search about PCOS (also known as PCOD)on the internet, most of the time, the search results in the cause, symptoms, and treatment of the disorder. The search talks about cancer and infertility but does not talk about the ignorance and the stigma it bears. I am talking about it so that you know that PCOS is not uncommon. I have PCOS, and I want to talk about it to tell you that at the end of the day, you will be okay!
