PCOS Awareness: Breaking the Stigma, Owning Our Strength
September is PCOS Awareness Month, and for me, this cause is deeply personal. I live with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): a condition that affects 1 in 10 people with ovaries worldwide.
PCOS is often misunderstood. It’s more than irregular cycles or fertility challenges. It can affect hormones, weight, skin, hair, mood, and long-term health risks like diabetes and heart disease. And yet, despite how common it is, too many people still feel isolated, ashamed, or dismissed by healthcare providers.
That’s why raising awareness matters. Talking about it matters. We can’t fight stigma with silence.
Finding Strength (and Humour) in the Journey
Living with PCOS can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t mean we aren’t strong. In fact, it’s made me embrace resilience in ways I never expected.
Humour is one of the ways I reclaim my experience. That’s where my “Bloody Strong” shirt came from. It’s part disability humour, part truth. Because let’s be honest: managing PCOS (and all the messy realities that come with it) takes serious strength.
Wearing it isn’t just about fashion — it’s about making a statement: I live with PCOS, I own my story, and I’m bloody strong for it.
How You Can Help Break the Stigma
Listen when people talk about their experiences with PCOS.
Share resources to help spread awareness.
Support research and advocacy to push for better care and understanding.
Join the conversation: whether it’s on social media, in the workplace, or at home.
Every story shared chips away at the stigma. Every conversation helps someone feel less alone.
💜 This PCOS Awareness Month, I’m proud to use my platform (and my POD shop!) to spark conversations and create a sense of solidarity. Because whether you’re living with PCOS or supporting someone who is, we all have a role to play in breaking the silence.
Together, let’s remind the world: we’re Bloody Strong.
