ETSU’s Women and Gender Resource Center hosted PCOS Stories: A Conversation About Diverse Experiences of Living With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

The event was held on Wednesday at 3 p.m, Stacey Williams led the event and saw a panel of students, faculty, staff and alumni who spoke about their experience with PCOS. 

“The idea for the event came about out of a conversation and partnership with Stacey Williams, professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, who recently published The Psychology of PCOS. Part of her research is about dispelling the myths that exist around Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, especially as it relates to gender, and there aren’t enough conversations about what it’s like to live with PCOS,” Heidi Marsh, director for the Women and Gender Resource Center, said. 

PCOS is a common condition in young women and can be hard to manage for some. Conversations around the condition are important for those affected to know they are not alone in their journey.

(Contributed/iStock)

“At the event, several panelists answered questions about the biggest challenges they’ve experienced in having a PCOS diagnosis. We also discussed the ways in which having PCOS has helped us grow as individuals and we shared how we manage our mental and physical health,” Marsh said. 

Students and those who attended were able to listen to these stories and also had the opportunity to share their own. Spreading awareness and information about PCOS is important and allows others a voice. 

“Having such a public discussion hopefully shows students that they are not alone in struggling with the effects of PCOS and that there is a community on campus willing and ready to support them,” Marsh said. 

ETSU has a place for everyone and hosting conversations such as these allows people to find more information and support. The Women and Gender Resource Center often has events similar to this to reach out to students and give them a place to share their stories. More information about the center or PCOS can be found by emailing etsuwrc@etsu.edu.