25: Making light of PCOS to help you get through

Sometimes we forget how common PCOS actually is. The number of women with PCOS is estimated to be 1 in 5 - you don’t need me to tell you that’s a lot! 20% of our female population is dealing with the same kind of symptoms as us; the hair growth and loss; the weight gain; the hangry attacks; the acne!

Yet, too often we feel like no one gets where we’re coming from. So we get waxed, annihilate ourselves in the gym daily, jump on the Pill, restrict our calories and take accutane or whatever else will keep the acne somewhat under control. 

And nothing is working! I hear you. I struggled for so long before I figured out what worked and how I had to change my lifestyle to help my symptoms. 

But figuring out what the heeeeck is going on internally and why your body has just started World War 3 with you is TOUGH. Having a community of other women who get it is so important! And we need to remember that there isn’t anything wrong with us! Having PCOS needs to be normalised. 

Which is what my fellow kiwi, Hayley Sproull, is out here doing now! Being a comedian and TV personality here in New Zealand, she’s always in front of the camera, with people throughout the country watching her on the regular. She’s using her platform to help women across New Zealand (and beyond) feel less alone with PCOS, normalise dealing with PCOS symptoms and sharing all the information she learns along the way!

I managed to get some time out of her busy schedule to have a good chat about her journey with PCOS, where she’s at now and how she’s stayed so confident being in the public eye while dealing with her symptoms.

If you’re feeling alone, annoyed with your PCOS or you’re just wanting to have a laugh, you’ll want to listen in to my chat with Hayley - she’ll have you laughing, crying and nodding your head all throughout the episode! 

Watch her documentary ‘Cystic Sisters’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-BqQnlDS-0

And keep up to date with what she’s up to here: 

https://www.instagram.com/hayleysproull/

https://www.facebook.com/hayleysproullcomedy/

https://twitter.com/hayleysproull?lang=en

This episode is for you if:

• You’re lacking in motivation or feeling isolated due to your PCOS diagnosis
• You’ve had professionals tell you that you’re overweight because you’re overeating - even when you’ve been eating barely anything
• Your PCOS symptoms have you lacking in confidence
• You’re in the mood for a laugh and want to hear more about another woman’s journey with what you’ve been dealing with!

Some things we cover in this episode:

• The ‘Cystic Sisters’ documentary
• The Pill: the positives and negatives
• Dieting mentality and disordered eating behaviours
• Hayley’s journey - from being diagnosed until now