09/29/2021
As PCOS Awareness Monthly comes to an end, here is your reminder to always advocate for yourself. Sometimes the fear of knowing is greater than the fear of the unknown. For years I struggled knowing that there was something not right with my body. I went to several doctors who either dismissed or told me that there was nothing wrong with me or that my symptoms were very common. It wasn’t until 2019 that I was finally diagnosed with PCOS after struggling with many of the symptoms for much of my teenage and adult life. When I was first diagnosed with PCOS, I felt both relief and frustration. Relief for finally being able to label all that I was experiencing. But also frustration at the fact that it had taken this long. Had I not advocated for myself, I would have never gotten my diagnosis.
It is so important that, as individuals, especially women we be our own health advocate. Do your own research. If you don’t know how, find someone who can help you learn. Ask question and speak up. Do not take what your doctor says and run with it. Trust your gut and get a second, third, 4th or 5th opinion. And remember, just because something is common, it does not mean that it is normal.
This list is just a short list of things that you can do to advocated for your health and wellbeing, but there is so much more you can do.
In what ways have you advocated for yourself recently?
