As part of the University of Southampton’s Women’s Health Month, we’re sharing the stories of some members of staff on how they manage their health and wellbeing.
Here, Melissa speaks about how she came to be diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and how the condition impacts her.
What is your experience with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
In my late teens, I noticed that my menstrual cycle wasn’t a cycle; it was more like a rollercoaster, which meant my periods were irregular, sometimes showing up every 2 to 6 months. When they did arrive, the bleeding would be heavy and last between 3 and 14 days. I thought that the combination of irregular and painful periods, intense mood swings, weight gain, hair growth and hair loss all at once was just puberty at its worst.
After many years of struggling, and several blood tests, I finally had some answers with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
PCOS is a common metabolic, hormonal, and reproductive disorder that affects anywhere from 10% to 21% of women in some parts of the world. The disorder is characterised as a group of symptoms that can impact multiple aspects of a woman’s life and health.
How does PCOS impact you in the workplace?
To manage the symptoms of PCOS, I tried different brands of contraceptive pills to regulate my periods. Each one I tried made me feel awful, lacking in self-confidence, highly anxious and unhappy. I have stopped taking contraception for many years, but I’m still dealing with the impact of poor mental health today, taking antidepressants, seeking therapy and I’m a huge fan of long walks to clear the mind.
When my period finally arrives, I can be in so much pain that I cannot walk or go to the bathroom, let alone work. Despite needing to rest, I also struggle to sleep, continuing an exhausting cycle that affects my focus at work. In recent years, my PCOS has been linked to insulin resistance, which makes my brain feel foggy and lethargic. Being able to have frequent breaks to have time to process lots of information has been helpful.
How could a line manager or colleague support a staff member with PCOS?
It is a hugely undiagnosed condition, yet it is believed to affect around 1 in 10 women. It is important to acknowledge that some staff might be dealing with PCOS symptoms but not know that they have PCOS.
Managers should be supportive of staff attending medical appointments and providing flexible working options to help staff deal with their physical and emotional symptoms.
I’m lucky to have a supportive manager and team who check in when I’m not feeling my best. Through their support, I feel empowered to have open conversations about my health without feeling judged.
What do you wish people understood about PCOS?
It’s a difficult condition to talk about because so many people don’t get a formal diagnosis and symptoms are often dismissed. Women are regularly told that period pain is to be expected and we carry a lot of shame when talking about menstrual health. I wish we spoke more about periods to break the taboo that surrounds them.
PCOS is a complex condition and affects everyone differently, though the first piece of advice I was given to manage my condition was to lose weight and come back to my GP when I’m ready to have children. I didn’t know that it would also affect my mental health, my metabolism and my physical appearance until I looked for more information.
To find out more about our events planned for Women’s Health Month this March, take a look at our Women’s Health Sussed post. For more information about PCOS, visit the Verity website.
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