Why Are PCOS and Other Hormonal Conditions Underdiagnosed?

An invisible fight that many women face is hormonal chronic illnesses. They are invisible when you consider how often these conditions go underdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all. A few examples of these illnesses are polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and thyroid disorder, but the list is much longer. What is even more telling is how little many doctors are educated on these illnesses, which forces them to band-aid the symptoms, allowing the long list of issues to worsen.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and various hormonal disorders impact millions globally. PCOS and endometriosis affect Black and brown women more, with studies showing greater insulin resistance compared to white women. Not to mention, these disorders also interfere with fertility and are often not discovered until the woman is hoping to conceive. Imagine an ultrasound highlighting cysts instead of a fetus.

What is often mislabeled on the outside by onlookers and medical professionals believing weight loss is the only answer is actually more complex than understood. This medical oversight tends to arise from societal stigmas, intricate symptoms, and deficiencies in medical education that hinder prompt and precise diagnoses. Of course, access to proper care, such as nutritionists, is part of the issue. The lack of privilege tends to leave question marks where there should be answers.

A significant concern is the wide range of symptoms linked to hormone disorders and how they play a major role in a person's day-to-day life. For instance, PCOS is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, hirsutism, weight gain, acne, excess hunger, and even high blood pressure. Nevertheless, these symptoms are frequently overlooked or ascribed to lifestyle factors instead of being examined as components of a broader endocrine problem. And, of course, this dismissal is especially common among women of color and those with elevated body weights, who often encounter medical bias that postpones diagnosis and treatment.

A further contributing aspect is the deficiency of awareness and education regarding hormonal problems, which are prevalent among both patients and healthcare practitioners. Numerous individuals lack awareness of the parameters defining a "normal" menstrual cycle or hormonal activity, complicating the identification of abnormalities. Concurrently, medical education frequently allocates insufficient emphasis to women's health and hormonal issues, resulting in some physicians neglecting or misinterpreting these conditions.

Moreover, societal stigmas about women's health and the normalization of suffering also contribute to the issue. Symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, tiredness, or emotional fluctuations are frequently trivialized or disregarded as inherent to womanhood. This cultural narrative dissuades individuals from pursuing medical assistance, resulting in problems such as PCOS, endometriosis, and thyroid disorders remaining neglected for extended periods. Extended periods of neglect puts women at risk of much worse fates

The ramifications of postponed diagnosis are extensive. Neglected PCOS may result in severe problems, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and infertility. Furthermore, the mental burden of enduring untreated hormone abnormalities frequently results in anxiety, despair, and a reduced quality of life.

Resolving this crisis necessitates systemic transformation. Enhanced awareness initiatives, improved medical education aimed at identifying and managing hormonal abnormalities, and a dedication to mitigating biases in healthcare are crucial measures. Patients must be enabled to advocate for themselves and get second opinions when their concerns are disregarded.

By disrupting the loop of underdiagnosis, we can guarantee that persons with PCOS and other hormonal disorders have the necessary care to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.