PCOS Diagnosis Delays & Lack of Support leave Women Suffering, New Report Reveals
London, UK – A damning new report from an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) reveals critically important failings in the diagnosis adn treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal disorder affecting roughly one in eight women of childbearing age in the UK. The report highlights years-long delays in receiving a diagnosis, a shocking lack of support post-diagnosis, and stark disparities in care based on ethnicity.
Years of Waiting, Dismissed Concerns
The APPG on PCOS’s investigation, based on evidence from over 2,000 patients, oral evidence sessions, and freedom of details requests to all 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England, paints a grim picture. Over a third of women surveyed waited more than four years to receive a PCOS diagnosis. Even after diagnosis, 38% reported receiving no resources whatsoever to manage their condition.
The emotional toll is significant. A disturbing 28% of respondents felt dismissed or not taken seriously by healthcare providers, with a mere 3% feeling adequately supported.
“PCOS affects one in eight women and those assigned female at birth, yet for too long it has been sidelined in policy, overlooked in funding, and misunderstood in practice,” stated Michelle Welsh, Labor MP for Sherwood Forest and chair of the APPG on PCOS. “This report sets out a clear and urgent case for reform. If we are serious about improving women’s health, we must act now to break the cycle.”
Disparities in Care Highlighted
The report also uncovered troubling inequalities in PCOS care. Women from Black and asian backgrounds are up to 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with PCOS, and are more likely to experience more severe symptoms, including insulin resistance. This underscores the need for culturally sensitive and equitable healthcare access.
A Multisystem Condition Often Ignored
Dr. Itunu Johnson-Sogbetun, GP and founder of the Royal College of GPs’ Women’s health Special Interest Group, echoed the report’s findings, stating the results reflect “what many of us with PCOS already know from lived experience: care is fragmented, diagnosis is delayed, and long-term risks are too often ignored.” She emphasized that PCOS is a “multisystem condition” requiring complete care,a need currently unmet by the NHS.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is characterized by irregular periods, excess androgen (often leading to excess facial or body hair), and polycystic ovaries – ovaries that are enlarged and contain numerous fluid-filled sacs. However, symptoms can vary widely, contributing to diagnostic delays.The need for urgent Action
This report serves as a critical wake-up call. The APPG’s findings demand immediate action to improve PCOS diagnosis,treatment,and support services. without significant reform,countless women will continue to suffer needlessly from the physical and emotional consequences of this often-misunderstood condition.
Related: I was diagnosed with PCOS – and was soon drowning in misinformation
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Keywords: PCOS, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, women’s health, diagnosis, treatment, NHS, healthcare, menstrual health, hormonal imbalance, infertility, ethnic disparities.
Meta Description: New report reveals shocking delays in PCOS diagnosis and a lack of support for women living with the condition. Learn about the disparities in care and the urgent need for reform. Headings: Clear and concise headings to improve readability and SEO.
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