Although progress is being made, it is an undeniable reality that women’s health is mostly shrouded in secrecy and still experiences under funding and underresearch.
For women living with menstrual disorders like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, finding a way to manage it can be akin to finding a needle in a haystack.
However, some women have found ways to manage theirs.
Urban Woman Magazine recently spoke to some of these women for their health management tips.
Read their responses below.
Zi
My biggest tip for management is to always work out, and have something in your stomach to avoid the sugar level dropping too drastically.
Having your body healthy solves at least 70% of your problems.
As someone who struggles with heavy lifting and eating, what I do is walk, and healthy food in little portions. It has improved my life drastically.
And please take your drugs. It’s hard, but has to be done if you want to be healthy.
What I wish people knew about living with PCOS is that it is not only physically and emotionally painful but it is financially devastating too.
The drugs are expensive, the food too. Everything.
OD
As a woman with PCOS, my facial hair started in year 2 of uni and I don’t know, I started plucking and now my whole neck and chin is a disaster.
It made me lose my self confidence. Visits to the doctor just made it worse, some of them don’t really know what to do.
They just stuff drugs in me and I feel even worse the following week.
I’m always tired, even if I just woke up.
I don’t even know how to take pictures without those parts showing and weight fluctuation, I could write a book. This week, I look healthy and chubby as I used to, the next, it feels like essence was drawn from me.
I barely enjoy sleep, no matter the time I sleep, I wake up by 3am and that’s the end.
These days I just prefer to stay in my room at home, that way, no one looks at me funny or anything.
But I’m about to start spearmint tea and I’m trying to pump my faith because I’ve been heartbroken so many times. It hurts.
OR
As a woman living with PCOS, managing it has been a mix of lifestyle changes, patience, and constant learning. Managing it means being intentional with what I eat (less sugar, more whole foods), staying physically active, and being mindful of my mental health. I’ve also learned to listen to my body more; tracking my symptoms and cycles really helps.
One thing I wish people knew is that PCOS is more than just hormonal imbalance. It messes with your confidence, your plans, your mood and sometimes, it feels like your body is working against you. But we keep going. We find what works, we celebrate small wins, and we hold space for ourselves.
More than irregular periods or acne, it affects your emotions, self-esteem, fertility, and everyday energy levels. It’s invisible but very real. Compassion and understanding go a long way.
Sending love to every woman navigating this in her own way.
Angel Nduka-Nwosu is a writer, journalist and editor. She moonlights occasionally as a podcaster on As Angel Was Sayin’. Catch her on all socials @asangelwassayin.