Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a complex metabolic condition which can have a range of distressing and even devastating symptoms – from weight gain to unwanted hair growth and mood changes. It is the most common reason for difficulty conceiving and is associated with increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and endometrial cancer.

It is thought that as many as 10% of women of reproductive age are affected by PCOS and the effects of the condition can be wide-ranging. A recent report by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), with input from the RCN Women’s Health Forum, showed that 76% of women waiting for care reported worsening of their mental health, and 69% reported being unable to take part in daily activities. Health care professionals surveyed as part of this report also shared how their own health and wellbeing was being negatively impacted by trying to manage the pressure on their services.

Early detection and treatment is pivotal, but inequalities in women’s health, long waits for gynaecology services, and evidence of patients feeling they are not taken seriously mean that for many, accessing diagnosis and treatment is difficult. This inequality is even more pronounced for patients from the global majority when compared to their white counterparts.

I was thus delighted to learn that a new all-party parliamentary group for PCOS has been established to try to improve recognition and responsiveness to PCOS. At the end of April, I was pleased to attend the inaugural meeting of the group to present oral evidence on behalf of the RCN.

We discussed some of the issues facing patients living with PCOS – from the health inequalities to difficulties in obtaining a diagnosis due to irregular or very light periods being dismissed as ‘normal’ or blamed on stress or hormonal contraception.

These are all vital issues for the nursing profession. As nursing staff, we have a key role to play - particularly in primary care where nursing staff discuss and deliver cervical screening, contraception, and chronic disease management. Holding sensitive conversations is vital, including negotiating care and supporting and managing long term consequences.

Moreover, PCOS is often managed using hormonal contraception, and nursing staff play an important role in delivering this and providing ongoing advice and support. Fertility nurses are at the forefront in supporting with assisted conception so see the impact that PCOS can have firsthand.

But we know that delivering the care we are trained to is not always easy. The ongoing nursing workforce crisis and underinvestment in nursing limit the impact we can make. So much of PCOS support is delivered through primary care which faces ongoing workforce pressures, and disadvantaged on pay award by not being part of the Agenda for Change pay awards.

Indeed, nurse training and education to learn about these issues is being cut, and training around women’s health issues more broadly is not generally included in most GP training. 

That is why we are continuously campaigning with the support of our brilliant Women’s Health, Fertility Nursing, Public Health and General Practice Nursing forums leading the way. The RCN Women’s Health Forum have also published a pocket guide on Making Sense of Women’s Health and contributed to last year’s report by the RCOG on the gynaecology care crisis.

We have also published guidance on equality and inclusion in women’s health, and on providing emotional support to patients and I am pleased to see that PCOS as a clinical issue will be covered at our upcoming RCN Women’s Health Conference.

As a female-led profession, we have a proud history of raising the profile of women’s health and campaigning for better resourcing, recognition and access to this vital specialism for all patients who need it. I hope that you will join me in continuing this work so it receives the parity of esteem it deserves.