East Grampians Community Centre to host FREE PCOS SEMINAR Februrary 4th

[KatCarney]

Sharing the PCOS road with others
27/01/2009 900 AM

ARARAT - Putting yourself first, being positive and getting the best out of life are morals women of all ages need to be reminded of, but they are of vital importance for women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal disorder which is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age.

A Melbourne-based study in 2005 suggested 12 per cent, or one in eight Australian women could be affected by the disorder, which equates to around half a million women and teenagers.

Possible symptoms include excessive hair growth or hair loss, obesity, acne, irregular or absent menstrual periods, polycystic ovaries and infertility or reduced fertility.

Women diagnosed with PCOS are at an increased risk of developing insulin resistance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lipid abnormalities and endometrial cancer.

East Grampians Community Centre will be holding a free forum on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome on Wednesday February 4.

One of the guest speakers on the evening, Kim Kerr, has found talking to others who have been diagnosed with the disorder to be of great help.

"If you know somebody else who's sharing the same road it makes you feel better,'' Mrs Kerr said.

"They're good support and they're somebody who actually understands what you're going through.''

Mrs Kerr was diagnosed with PCOS only a few years ago after suffering for years and not understanding why.

During her early 20s, Mrs Kerr said she would be at the gym practically all the time and eating very small amounts of food but still struggled with her weight.

After trying `every diet known to mankind' and being told by doctors to go to a dietician and join a gym, it was a visit to an understanding Ararat doctor that led to the diagnosis.

Mrs Kerr said she remembers when doctors confirmed she had PCOS following a series of glucose tests in Ballarat and crying all the way home.

"(My partner) Greg said to me why are you crying, but it was more tears of relief, knowing there is something that I can do about it,'' Mrs Kerr said.

During the first few months following the diagnosis, Mrs Kerr said she wanted to tell everyone of her diagnosis, which provided an explanation to all the symptoms of PCOS.

"It's hard enough for a woman anyway but with this you can hop on the scales and it can be a variation of five kilograms in a week and that can be quite difficult,'' Mrs Kerr said.

Critical changes to diet and the need to exercise very regularly brought about a lifestyle change, however Mrs Kerr said it is necessary to keep PCOS under control.

"I'm not losing weight to get into a bikini,'' Mrs Kerr said.

"We really need to put ourselves first and say this isn't something that's an option, it's got to happen and it's got to be a part of my life now.

"My mental space now is not to think of it as what I look like, it's my health and how I want to live the rest of my life and I want to give myself the best and give Greg and my kids the best I can give them.''

Mrs Kerr said she is looking forward to bringing more understanding of PCOS to the community and raising awareness of the syndrome among women.

"I thought if there's other people out there like me, even younger people, if they've got PCOS or think they have, it's a chance to form a support group and get together at each meeting and say `how's life treating you','' Mrs Kerr said.

While remembering PCOS is a serious condition, Mrs Kerr hopes the group provides women with an opportunity to talk to others travelling on the same path.

"Let's not be negative, let's turn it around to be a positive and know there's someone else to talk to in those low moments,'' Mrs Kerr said.

"PCOS is reality and you've got to do something about it, but let's do it in a manner that's not too stressed and look at the lighter side of life.''

The forum will provide an outlet for women and their families who are experiencing PCOS and for health professionals who manage and treat PCOS.

It is an opportunity to meet and network with others who have an interest in PCOS and provide a space to learn more about the management and treatment of the syndrome.

The forum will be held on Wednesday February 4, starting at 7pm and running for two hours.

Bookings for the free forum are essential and can be made by contacting Sam Higgins at the EGHS Community Centre on 5352 9327 by this Friday January 30.

Source: http://ararat.yourguide.com.au/news/...x?storypage=0#