Hear from some of our colleagues about their experiences with women's health conditions and how their symptoms affect them – to learn more, and find out how we can all offer our support and understanding.
Naomi Ilagoswa, Director of Strategic Partnerships & External Projects, GC Employment
I had always suspected that I had PCOS as I’d put a lot of weight on quickly during puberty and struggled to keep my weight in the healthy BMI range. In my twenties, I always had irregular periods and developed acne and when trying to get pregnant at 30, I was finally diagnosed with PCOS. In a way getting a diagnosis was a relief but the impact it had on my fertility was hard to deal with mentally.
After 5 years and with thanks to the NHS, I finally had had my daughter. Living with PCOS can be lonely as it’s a hidden disease with symptoms that really affect your confidence and you often have to put up with insensitive comments, with people asking “when are you going to have a baby?” etc and it can also having long term impact such as increasing your chance of developing diabetes and high cholesterol. Thankfully, I’ve been lucky and been able to have two children and my recent BUPA health check confirmed that despite having a high BMI, my blood sugar, body fat & cholesterol are all low.
I would anyone who suspects they have PCOS to speak to their GP and also to remind people to think before you ask questions!
Jennifer Riley, Business Development Manager – Quality Standards
Similar to what Naomi has said, I knew something wasn’t quite right as soon as I hit puberty and began having periods. Although I never suffered irregularity, every month on my period I would get intense painful cramps in my stomach and back, very heavy bleeding, extreme fatigue and other symptoms such as easy weight gain which was hard to lose again and growing hair on my face and stomach that would cause me to be completely miserable and force me to cancel any plans and essentially writhe around in pain for several days. One thing people may not know is that these symptoms aren’t always confined to ‘that time of the month’ and can happen at any time but are especially common during ovulation and menstruation.
The GP that I saw at the time simply suggested going on the pill which, although can be helpful with managing symptoms, can mask any underlying issues and didn’t actually give me any answers. And so, being only 14 and listening to the GP, I started the pill, on I went for 5 years, still in pain (though slightly less than before). When I reached 19 I was fed up and, wanting some answers, I started my own research; PCOS seemed like the best fit with what I was experiencing. However, in the end it took me a further 3 years to get a diagnosis.
Unfortunately, it is not an overnight process to get a referred or get a diagnosis and almost every person I have spoken to has said that it was a fight for them. When I got told I had PCOS I was relieved to finally know what I was dealing with, though also terrified of what this could mean in the future for my health and fertility. And, if I’m honest, I am still unsure in a lot of ways. I do have a better control of my symptoms now and know what works for me and have recently undertaken a hormone and fertility test to give me a better idea of how my body is functioning and what this could mean for me in the future when I want to start having children.
PCOS is such a personal struggle, and my experience might be completely different to another person's. Some people will have PCOS and never know, others will only find out when they want to start having children, others may experience symptoms all their adult lives and some have symptoms that come and go. Symptoms also vary and can be completely different from one person to the next.
My main piece of wisdom would be that you know your own body; you know what is right and what isn’t. If you think something isn’t right and you might have PCOS, or anything else for that matter, please don’t suffer for years without seeking help. A good starting point is a visit to the GP. They have got much better in recent years at recognising the symptoms and referring people on for further testing and support but the best thing you can do is advocate for yourself, insist on getting the help you need and research what you are told as it helps to understand what is happening to your body.
PCOS and other hidden illnesses can be lonely and confusing. To everyone else you may look completely fine when you feel anything but fine inside. I have only now, though this campaign, found other women in GC who are struggling with this too and it's nice to know I’m not alone and now we share ideas on what has helped us. If anyone is struggling or just wants to someone to talk to, I know myself and other colleagues would be happy to have a chat so please reach out!