Page 8 - February 2020 Issue Forensic PDF

India Has A PCOD Problem – 5 Women Share Their Stories

The same IJRM study tip of the PCOS iceberg. many faces– 1 in 3 to P
found that women not Women must also deal be precise– but the level
only associate regular with numerous and ex- of discourse on it is dis- C

menstruation with the ca- hausting trips to the doctor proportionate. “Women O
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pacity to bear children, but and expensive medication are expected to endure

also their feminine iden- that can result in terrifying so much already. We’re A
tity, which makes PCOS side effects. Nairika, who so used to silently work-
a condition that provokes is also asthmatic, experi- ing through all of this. I W

deep insecurity and un- enced pulmonary shock as hope people realise how A
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happiness with one’s self a side effect to prescribed much effort it takes to get E

and body. Even excessive medication. Sarah says, past body image issues, N
hair growth, especially “I’ve been to a lot of doc- a stressful work life, not
facial hair, that challenges tors and everyone says the sleeping or eating prop- E

the conventions of femi- same thing and gives the erly.” S
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ninity is a compounding same medicine that works

problem. Rujvi tells me of only temporarily. Regardless, Rujvi, Naya- 2
her frustration at people nika, Ayesha, Sarah, and
pointing out specks of her Starting dialogue on Nairika all tell me of 0

chin hair and comment- PCOS in a country that’s strong support systems, a 2
0
ing, “What is that? It’s not reluctant to discuss men- now secure sense of self,

normal, right?” struation and female hy- and hope for an empathet-
giene is an uphill battle; ic Indian society– things
Forever mending the and having to challenge that aren’t medical solu-

strained relationship with patriarchal standards of tions for PCOS, but make
their bodies, fielding un- feminine beauty while the fight more bearable

solicited opinions about paying through the nose and less lonely.
their appearances, and at- for expensive healthcare
tempting to maintain good is an added burden. In-

mental health is only the dia’s PCOS problem has

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