TW: Periods including mentions of blood, dismissive doctors.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is defined by the NHS website as ‘a condition that affects how the ovaries work.’ Its most common symptom is periods being irregular or heavier compared to the “norm”, which is due to hormone imbalances within the body.
However, as someone diagnosed with PCOS, I know that it involves more than just heavy periods. PCOS is a fundamental part of my identity. It has a wide range of implications, and it is something that heavily impacted how I grew into a young adult.
