PCOS Awareness Month
PCOS is the most common hormone disorder in women — and the most misdiagnosed. September we put it on the map.
PCOS is a syndrome — three different patient profiles can all carry the label, and each needs different management. The result: a quarter of all gynaec appointments end in vague advice ("eat less, exercise more"). What actually helps is precise screening, individualised lifestyle, and clinicians who treat the metabolic + hormonal picture together. That's a SHELY problem to solve.
September pillars
Rotterdam self-screen
In-Care 5-question flow → suggests which two of the three Rotterdam criteria might apply + what bloodwork to ask for.
28-day lifestyle program
Daily micro-actions, food swaps, movement, sleep, stress. Phase-coded for hormonal cycle.
PCOS-specialist directory
Filterable list of endocrinologists + gynaecs who treat PCOS as a metabolic syndrome.
Cadence
- Sep 1Open
Doodle takeover + self-screen live in Care.
- Sep 7Program week 1
Diet swaps — low-glycaemic Indian recipes daily.
- Sep 14Program week 2
Movement — 7 home-friendly routines.
- Sep 21Program week 3
Sleep + stress + tracking. Sakhi AMA mid-week.
- Sep 28Program week 4
Long-term planning + clinician handoff.
- Sep 30Wrap
Endocrinologist + gynaec live Sakhi AMA. Recap card.
Common questions
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
Irregular or absent periods, excess facial/body hair, acne or oily skin, scalp hair thinning, weight gain or difficulty losing weight, dark patches on neck/underarms (acanthosis nigricans). Not every woman has every symptom. The Rotterdam self-screen in Care helps map yours.
How is PCOS diagnosed?
Rotterdam criteria: two of three — irregular ovulation, signs of high androgens (clinical or blood test), polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound. A gynaec or endocrinologist confirms after history, blood tests, and sometimes ultrasound. See /care/care-team for a specialist.
Is PCOS permanent?
PCOS does not have a cure, but it is highly manageable. With the right lifestyle and (sometimes) medication, symptoms can become minor. Many women find symptoms ease around menopause. Treatment is lifelong management, not a one-time fix.
Can I get pregnant with PCOS?
Yes — most women with PCOS can conceive, sometimes with help. Ovulation-induction medication (letrozole, clomiphene), weight management, and metformin where appropriate increase the chances substantially. Talk to a fertility-aware clinician early.
Do I have to lose weight?
Weight loss helps if you have insulin resistance, but PCOS happens at every body size. The 28-day Care program focuses on insulin sensitivity (low-GI eating, strength training, sleep) — not on the scale.
Three doctors told me to lose weight. The fourth — a PCOS-trained endo from the SHELY directory — ran the right tests, started metformin, and explained the syndrome to me in one sitting. I cried.
Keep going
This campaign is one nudge. Here's where it leads on SHELY.
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