Study Shows Women with PCOS Visit Two or More Dr’s for Diagnosis
A recent study has shown that of 1385 Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) patients from over thirty different countries, half of these women had to visit 3 or more Doctors before being diagnosed. A shocking 35% said they visited more than 3 medical professionals and 12% say they visited more than 4 Doctors before diagnosis.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome affects more than 15% of childbearing age women and is the leading cause of infertility, and leaves these women at higher than usual risk of multiple health concerns including depression. The chronic condition is characterised by three key features, of which a women must shows signs of 2 of them to be diagnosed; Small Ovarian cysts, irregular or missed periods and increased levels of Testosterone.
Half of the women in the study, published by the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism said it took more than two years to be diagnosed and only small number said they were satisfied with the experience they had throughout the diagnosis.
Helena Teede, the Co-Author of the journal and the Professor of Women’s Health at Monash University said in a press release; “Despite the misleading name, PCOS is not primarily an ovarian condition, but instead is a hormonal disturbance with diverse health effects that is largely inherited. The process of diagnosing PCOS needs to be improved, and the diverse set of metabolic, reproductive and psychological features need to be understood and addressed.”
The study showed that a whopping 45% of the women received little or no information on their condition despite it being a chronic condition causing infertility.
Professor Teede also said “There are clear opportunities to improve awareness, diagnosis, and health outcomes for women with PCOS,”
I myself had to go to several doctors and have multiple visits before being diagnosed with PCOS. Doctors kept saying there was nothing wrong with me but I knew my own body and kept pushing for more tests.
Unfortunately GP’s don’t seem to know much about this condition and I’m still turning to google for advice as well as treatment ideas to relieve symptoms.
I had to go to several doctors and eventually it was an OBGYN who diagnosed me. I was very upset at how it happened – my then-GP ended up ordering what she called “completely unnecessary” pelvic ultrasound and blood tests, and told me that the results didn’t indicate any problems. After 12 months of trying for a baby, she reluctantly referred me to an OBGYN, who took one look at the results of the scan and the blood tests, my BMI, hirsutism and diagnosed me with PCOS on the more severe scale. Blood tests showed hormone levels that were completely out of order, and the scan showed enlarged ovaries riddled with cysts. I can’t think that multiple GP’s missed it because they don’t know about it – I think GP’s don’t consider it serious and therefore not worth any attention or even diagnosis.