Megan’s Story

PCOS Advocacy Day
My name is Megan G., I live in Bellevue, Ne. I am the President of a local non-profit called Conceive
Nebraska, who works with individuals and couples struggling with Infertility and reproductive health
needs. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is one of the most common health conditions that affects 50% of
those with ovaries of reproductive age. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 21 years old, even
though that seems late in age, there are many who are mis diagnosed or not diagnosed at all.

However, PCOS is not just a reproductive disorder, there are many other health and mental health
conditions that are tied to PCOS, such as a higher chance of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood
pressure and Ovarian and Uterine cancer. However, there is no specific treatment for PCOS, and
currently medical providers are only able to treat the symptoms the patient is presenting with. Such
as, I have symptoms of insulin resistance, and must take Metformin daily, I also have irregular periods,
which causes thickness of the uterus lining, which then leads to a higher chance of uterine cancer.

In the 15 years since my diagnosis, I have struggled with being a pre-diabetic, needing to take Metformin daily, struggle with infertility. My husband and I have done 5 medicated tries and 1 IUI that have all failed, I have had 3 uterine biopsies, and I am about to schedule a 4th to ensure that I do not have any abnormal cells that could cause cancer or be cancerous already. Which for anyone is a
major concern, however with a family history of cancer it is an even bigger concern for me. These are
only some of the things that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. PCOS is not just a
reproductive issue, it is a life-long health condition.