What do football and PCOS have in common, you ask?

Admittedly, I am not a fan of football. I don’t get anything about the game. I’m a passive spectator who waits for cues from others to know when to react to a touchdown or fumble. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that while I was watching the Superbowl this weekend, I wasn’t exactly in the moment, and okay, not  the least bit interested in the score. Rather, my mind was on the presentation I was preparing about PCOS. Sometime during the first quarter, I had an epiphany. I couldn’t help but think of how viewing a sports event could be compared to being a spectator in regard to observing ones own medical care without being involved. Just as fans feel helpless while watching the opposing team score, girls with PCOS can feel powerless when they perceive that their lives have been taken over with doctor appointments, medication, strict diets, and exercise plans. They feel even more powerless if they don’t have a voice in their treatment plan.

The belief that you have no control over your medical care is wrong. This approach is very passive and will likely cause you a lot of frustration. Being part of your PCOS treatment plan means that you are involved and in control. You are the most important member of your medical team! Sure, it takes energy and good communication to be involved, but it’s so worth it. Assuming you want to feel healthier and better about yourself, getting involved is the only way to be successful at controlling your PCOS symptoms and reducing your risk for other health problems later in life.

Talk to your health care providers and tell them what PCOS symptoms bother you the most. When you are prescribed new medication, pay attention to how you feel when you take it and report back to your medical team. Talk to a nutritionist who can help you set realistic goals based on your likes and dislikes, and start exercising just by moving more. Educating yourself about PCOS will empower you to advocate for yourself so that you can be in control of your treatment plan. Being involved is much more satisfying than watching from the sidelines.

-Phaedra