#TurnItTeal for PCOS Awareness Month

The challenges of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are very well known to the RMA of Connecticut fertility team. Here’s one attention commanding statistic (supplied by PCOSChallenge): 1 in 10 women will be affected by this multi-faceted metabolic syndrome and it is the number one cause of infertility. 

PCOS at RMA of Connecticut

Here at RMA of Connecticut, we also know the individual faces of PCOS, your faces, and our faces.

Yes, we have many RMA of Connecticut team members also dealing with the ups and downs of PCOS, including the everyday job of managing difficult, and even embarrassing, symptoms. We know the painful implications of PCOS, including infertility (along with many other health issues) and we also know the joy of successful pregnancies and healthy families. 

Why Teal Now? 

Here’s the history on why today and all month long, we have teal ribbons out for you to wear, whether you personally are affected by PCOS or not: 

“On September 1, 2018, the first day of PCOS Awareness Month, PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association will kick off the inaugural World PCOS Day of Unity. People around the world will come together in solidarity to promote PCOS Awareness and support those who are impacted by polycystic ovary syndrome. PCOS is a genetic, hormone, metabolic and reproductive disorder that affects 10-15% of women in the U.S. and up to 21% in other countries.

"For too long PCOS has been a silent epidemic," says Sasha Ottey, Executive Director of PCOS Challenge. "PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder and cause of infertility in women. PCOS can lead to lifelong complications as well as life-threatening diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and endometrial cancer. Despite being one of the most common human disorders and its serious health consequences, PCOS continues to be one of the most underfunded and neglected areas of health. With 50-70% of women with PCOS going undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, many healthcare and community leaders are now recognizing the urgent need to increase awareness."

We’re Turning It Teal All Month Long

We’ll be spreading it across social media with videos, blogs, and a Facebook Live event on Tuesday, September 18th at 7pm with Ashley Levinson, PCOSGurl; Monica Moore, MSN, RNC, Fertile Health founder; and Diana D’Amelio, RPA-C and RMACT’s PCOS team member.

Please do share your personal videos, post testimonials using PCOS related hashtags (examples include: #WorldPCOSday #PCOSAwarenessMonth #PCOSAwarenessWeekend #cystersunited #turnitteal #pcoschallenge) and use teal photo overlays to spread the message across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, just like we will be doing. 

From PCOSChallenge, “To directly impact healthcare policy and research, PCOS Challenge urges U.S.-based participants to contact their legislators about co-sponsoring H.Res.864, which recognizes the seriousness of PCOS, and sign the petition to the National Institutes of Health, which calls for PCOS to be recognized as a serious health concern that demands national attention and government support.”

Awareness and Excellent Care

Awareness is one goal at RMA of Connecticut, but it’s not the only one. We’re also committed to excellent care for PCOS patients, whether or not you’re trying to achieve a pregnancy. Our PCOS program is geared towards women in all stages of their lives, from teenagers on up. If you are already a patient, speak to your patient navigator about what more we could be doing to help you make life easier. Let your patient navigator set up a check-in appointment with our PCOS nutritionist Carolyn Gundell, MS, Nutritionist. Consider an appointment with one of our fertility counselors Lisa Schuman, LCSW or Melissa Kelleher, LCSW. This isn’t therapy as you know it, this is psycho-educational help for a syndrome that can present many physical, social, and emotional challenges. 

If you aren’t a patient, call our New Patient Liaisons at (203) 956-2265 or submit a consult request to find out about the services that RMA of Connecticut offers to women with PCOS who may not be trying to conceive but are looking for experts at PCOS management. This includes teenagers and women who are finished building their families. 

Take a Ribbon- It's On Us! 

Next time you’re in one of our offices, please feel free to take a ribbon at our front desk. Take one, wear it, explain to anyone asking that it’s to support awareness of an important women’s syndrome that is infrequently talked about- PCOS. By subscribing to our blog, you’ll have a chance to win 1 of the 10 stunning teal heart necklaces we’re offering as a gift this month. All proceeds from the purchase of these necklaces will go to support PCOSChallenge.

About PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association Serving over 50,000 members, PCOS Challenge is the leading patient support and advocacy organization for women and girls with PCOS.