Polycystic ovary syndrome: Welsh sisters' seek for solutions to PCOS

Two sisters affected by a illness which impacts the functioning of their ovaries have stated they felt alone and helpless as they tried to discover a prognosis.

Annika Thomas, 39, and Sarah Davies, 44, from Carmarthenshire, skilled signs together with irregular intervals, infertility and low temper. polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Research from Cardiff University has proven the situation is changing into extra frequent and likewise discovered girls usually want a number of separate appointments for various signs, costing the UK an estimated £1.2 billion a yr.

The Welsh Government stated its Women's Health Plan, which incorporates PCOS, can be introduced by the top of the yr and has invested in analysis.

During PCOS Awareness Month, Annika and Sarah revealed that they went to varied appointments for a number of years earlier than they had been identified with PCOS.

“It started with my menstrual cycles, they were a lot lighter, there were a lot longer gaps between them,” Annika stated.

“Because I'm not the typical PCOS patient — they might see being overweight, excess hair…acne — because I didn't have these symptoms, they weren't keen on testing. I insisted on it.”

“But it took many years before I felt I got anywhere, because I was chasing exams and it took a lot of time.”

Now a mom of three, Annika stated she endured a “tough year” earlier than her first son was born in 2018 via IVF therapy.

“It was a very emotional time,” he stated.

“You feel alone. I was never given any help.”

Sarah stated they lacked coordinated considering as they made totally different appointments for various PCOS signs.

“The biggest [symptom] The biggest problem for me was infertility. But I was always having acne, pimples and then another big problem for me was weight, which was always fluctuating,” she stated.

“Sometimes mood swings happen, especially during tough times like infertility. PCOS is a complex condition.”

PCOS is a situation that impacts many components of the physique, together with metabolism and ovarian perform.

One of its most important signs is irregular menstrual intervals, because the ovaries don’t launch eggs usually, which might result in fertility issues.

Its signs embrace extreme facial or physique hair, zits, hair loss and, in some sufferers, weight achieve.

In the long run, sufferers could have an elevated danger of melancholy, nervousness, sort 2 diabetes, and coronary heart illness.

A spokesman for Hywel Dda University Health Board stated: “It is always sad to hear that patients are unhappy with their treatment.”

“We are always striving to improve communication between our departments so that patients are seen by the doctor who can provide them with the best help as quickly as possible,” he stated.

A larger variety of folks at the moment are being identified with it, in accordance with a brand new research from Cardiff University's School of Medicine.

The group of specialists studied greater than 120,000 sufferers with PCOS and located that the chance was greater amongst sufferers from decrease socio-economic backgrounds and people of Asian ethnicity.

Experts concluded that extra funding was wanted in analysis and assets to help sufferers wanted to be improved.

Professor of endocrinology Aled Rees stated this has a “huge impact” on sufferers' high quality of life.

“It can be hard to diagnose. It can cause irregular menstrual periods, absence of periods, weight gain, unwanted hair growth and fertility challenges,” she stated.

“The frustrating thing is that we don’t have condition-specific treatments, so we need more research.

“There’s a little bit of awareness now, but there’s still a gap.”

Victoria Vasey, director of Women’s Equality Network Wales, stated the findings weren’t stunning.

“We have heard from members that this is an extremely difficult human condition that has a huge impact on physical health,” Ms Vasey stated.

“But it also has a very bad impact on mental health, partly because of misdiagnosis or late diagnosis and symptoms.

“This is a problem that affects a huge number of women, but if we know it affects certain groups of women, that helps us find solutions.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson stated all well being boards are anticipated to “take positive action to improve women’s experiences and outcomes and to address any inequalities”.

“This year we appointed the first ever clinical lead for women’s health and established a Women’s Health Network, which is developing and driving the 10-year Women’s Health Plan for Wales,” it says.

“The plan will focus on a range of women’s health issues, including menstrual health and PCOS. The plan is set to be published by the end of 2024.

“We also announced an investment of £750,000 to fund research focused on women’s health priorities to 2025.”