Why I Support PCOS Awareness

I Support Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness

You may have noticed this PCOS Awareness Association logo at the bottom of my website. That’s because PCOS isn’t just something I support professionally; it’s something I live with. I was diagnosed with PCOS in my early 20s, and it has shaped my journey in deeply complex ways.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting approximately 1 in 10 women of people assigned female at birth. It’s caused by hormonal imbalances and can lead to:

• Irregular or absent menstrual cycles

• Higher androgen levels, which may cause:

  • Acne

  • Excess hair growth and/or

  • Hair loss

• Polycystic ovaries (multiple small follicles visible on ultrasound)

• Insulin resistance 

• Increased risk of type 2 diabetes

• Infertility due to disrupted ovulation

But PCOS isn’t just about physical symptoms. It touches emotional well-being, relationships, financial stability, and even a person’s sense of identity.

My Why

Living with PCOS has given me a front-row seat to the heartache of infertility. While I haven’t yet been able to bear a child, I have a dog, Spike, who is my little “kiddo” and constant companion with his best friend, Roscoe.

My personal struggles with infertility, month after month of grief and hope, navigating as many natural treatment options as I can while also considering paths like adoption or surrogacy, and wrestling with societal expectations, have given me deep empathy. They’ve also inspired me to dedicate some of my work as a therapist to supporting individuals and couples facing infertility, whether due to PCOS, endometriosis, male-factor infertility, or unexplained causes.

Infertility Impacts Everyone

While PCOS awareness often highlights women’s health, it’s important to remember that infertility is not only a women’s issue. About 1 in 3 cases of infertility involve male factors, such as low sperm count. Even when infertility is tied to PCOS or another female condition, partners, male or female, carry the emotional weight too.

Men may feel pressure to be “the strong one,” but they also grieve. They may feel helpless watching their partner undergo treatments, or struggle with their own sense of masculinity if they face infertility themselves. Therapy provides space for both partners to process these emotions, communicate openly, and strengthen their bond through an experience that may otherwise strain relationships.

The Role of Friends and Family

Infertility can feel incredibly isolating, not only because of the private grief it causes, but also because well-meaning friends and family sometimes say things that unintentionally hurt.

Tips for Managing Pressure from Loved Ones

If you’re experiencing infertility, here are a few ways to protect your peace when others don’t know what to say:

• Set boundaries: It’s okay to gently say, “I’d rather not talk about this right now,” or redirect the conversation.

• Prepare responses: Have a short answer ready for common questions like, “When are you having kids?” (“We’re working through some things and focusing on our health right now.”)

• Lean on allies: Identify one or two people who truly understand and let them be your safe space when family gatherings feel overwhelming.

• Give yourself permission: It’s okay to skip baby showers or events that trigger grief. Protecting your mental health is not selfish, it’s necessary.

  
  

Tips for Friends and Family Supporting a Loved One

If you love someone facing infertility, here are ways you can support them:

• Avoid advice or quick fixes: Saying “just relax” or “have you tried…?” can feel invalidating. Listen more than you speak.

• Acknowledge the pain: A simple, “I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’m here if you want to talk,” goes a long way.

• Respect boundaries: If they don’t want to attend a baby shower or family event, don’t guilt them. Trust they’re doing what they need.

• Offer practical help: Send a meal, walk their dog, or offer a distraction like a fun outing. Sometimes support looks like lightening everyday burdens.

• Include both partners: Remember infertility affects couples, not just individuals. A kind word to the partner matters too.

  
  

Why Awareness Matters

Infertility is often hidden in silence, but silence amplifies isolation. Supporting PCOS awareness isn’t just about spreading facts, it’s about breaking stigma, creating community, and reminding people they’re not alone.

Whether you’re living with PCOS, navigating infertility, or loving someone who is, your story matters. Every path, whether through treatment, adoption, surrogacy, or choosing a child-free life, is valid. My hope, both as a therapist and as someone walking this road myself, is to offer understanding, empathy, and a safe place to process the complexities of this journey.

If you or someone you love is navigating infertility or PCOS and want a safe space to process your story, I invite you to reach out. You don’t have to carry this alone.