Know what can you do for PCOS Awareness!

What is PCOS? Why is it important to address it? Why is it further important to talk about it? What are the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment? Can it be cured? Can women with PCOS still bear children?...

Stronger with or without PCOS! samjhe kya?!
September is observed as the PCOS Awareness Month. Despite working on Menstrual Hygiene Management closely, I didn't know much about this. So, when two of my fellow Women's Health advocates (Triparna and Kamal) spoke to me about the idea of an event - I was all in!
PCOS affects 1 in 10 women globally. And is one of the most common endocrine disorder in women. PCOS can occur in girls as young as 11 years old! and, if not diagnosed early, the risk of other health problems increases. A woman with PCOS has 4-7 times higher risk of a heart attack than a woman of the same age without PCOS. and so much more...
Why is this not talked about? I often see women with dark patches around neck and arms who also suffer from hirsutism (increased hair growth on face) or hair thinning. But, this is seldom talked about. The reason, just like any other when concerned with Women's Health is "Social Taboos". And yet another syndrome that goes uncured because of society's standards of women's health meaning fewer visits to the doctor! (face-palmed!)

So, how do we get the conversation started and going? PCOS affects women from every walk of life. How do we include all of them? Is it even possible to include all of them?
And this is how we keep the conversations going!
One step at a time.

On 30th Sept, we had over 20 women from various fields to learn about PCOS who would in turn start the conversations in their own circles. (ripple effects, best no?)

Our thought leaders
  1. Dr. Zara Nazneen, MBBS
  2. Dr.Mugdha, Homeopathic expert
  3. Pratibha Aggarwal, Anahata Yoga Zone (really famous!)
  4. Dr.Hasini, New Mumz Hub and Matrusakhi foundation
  5. Dr.Lahari, Nutritionist
  6. Spandana, software engineer claims to have PCOS cured
Dr.Hasini, Pratibha, Dr.Mugdha, Dr.Zara
And these are what I learned from the 2-hour discussion, which I want all you women to know and spread the word!
  • It is PCOS and not PCOD. Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. Not a disease. PCOS is a hormonal problem. So, you have to see an endocrinologist and not a gynecologist!
  • PCOS can begin when you're in your mother's womb. That means PCOS can be genetic. But, other factors may be involved as well.
  • Insulin hormone helps the body absorb glucose into cells for energy. But, in PCOS, there is Insulin resistance, which means elevated glucose levels -> more insulin -> more androgens. Excess androgens in women bring its own problems - acne, unwanted hair, thinning hair, irregular periods. 
  • PCOS is just the tip of the iceberg. The root cause is increased insulin
"Check your BMI online. Get an ultrasound done. Hardly costs Rs.800/-"
  • Homeopathy claims to have the cure, provided a strict diet and lifestyle is practiced. 
  • "Maintain weight, diet and mental health!"
  • Pratibha surely tells, "Yoga is a science and not just an exercise" and she asks you to chuck all those ideal figures. Figures of ideal workout time, of power yogas and ideal weight etc. They are all Nonsense!
achhe bachhe, notes lete hai!
  • We all have a sympathetic nervous system which does the fight or flight. and parasympathetic nervous system for rest and renew! So, rest, no stress, no pressure when working out or practicing yoga. bring down the time of your mind oscillation. We cant avoid stress, but how we react to it is in our hands.
Tip-1: before you sleep, consciously bring your mind to focus on every part of your body. Play some soothing music along, if you want!
Tip-2: Focus on your breathing! Every one hour - check your own breath. Take 5 deep breaths.
  • The minute you have PCOS, even the good-for-nothing female friends and everyone around with their good-for-nothing education start judging you. They'll tell you how you cannot have kids anymore. who will marry you and all that blap! Dr.Hasini, herself a PCOS survivor has 2 beautiful children and counsels so many other young women that nothing is wrong with them! 
  • Spandana shared her story of 10 years of suffering before finding a cure through Homeopathy. And that Google will only lead you to more trouble and panic situations with their useless over-information. 
  • Finally, nutritionist burst the myths of "ye khao, woh khao, ye nahi and woh nahi". Focus on whatever you are eating, dont chat or live in another world while eating. Think about how you got the food onto your plate, who made it, who made the ingredients. 
  • Tip: Eating happy or eating guilty. If you are about to hog onto something, if you are happy now and guilty later, do not! and dont push yourself with quantities everytime. Your body tells you what to eat and what not, Listen!
toh, kya bolri thi?! PCOS! seekho aur sikhao!
So finally, Women, listen to your bodies. Get basic tests done. Follow a good diet. Exercise atleast 3-4 days a week. Surround yourself with goodness. And fu*k stress! 

My gratitude to the thought leaders, Good Universe team, Dr.Anusha, Triparna and Kamal for giving me this opportunity! I am empowered with more knowledge.

Lessons I Learnt: (basically, tips for organizing next time)
  1. Just because someone is famous for promoting women's health already, doesnt mean she will collaborate with you for free, or doesnt mean she'll be kind enough to not have too many demands! 
  2. Just cuz you know the importance of this event, don't assume your colleagues/ acquaintances do. So, don't go pushing them to attend! Though in all good heart, your friends are the ones who disappoint you the most! Start keeping events open, there are so many more who would gain so much from such opportunities! But, there are also friends who are with you through thick and thin! <3 
  3. No matter how much you think you already know cuz of google, you know nothing, Jon Snow! A live discussion with experts is always the way to go!
matching-matching! to my mother who loves learning and teaching!

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