Young teacher’s life shattered by devastating diagnosis
Fresh out of university with a teaching job and the love of her life by her side, Abigayle was living the life she dreamt of. She had secured a sound education, found a good man, and was eagerly looking forward to becoming a wife and a mother.
But her world has been turned upside down since being diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of infertility.
“I cry every time I think about the fact that I will never have a family of my own,” she said of the heartbreaking diagnosis.
The World Health Organization said that PCOS affects an estimated eight to 13 per cent of reproductive-age women. Among the symptoms are heavy, long, intermittent, unpredictable or absent periods; acne or oily skin; excessive hair on the face or body, male-pattern baldness or hair thinning, and weight gain, especially around the belly. Abigayle said the condition has severely impacted her self-esteem.
“I feel ugly because I have facial hair, but worse than that, sometimes even my hair falls out to the point where I have bald spots. I’m not even going to talk about the weight gain, because that is on a level of its own,” she said.
The emotional toll has been overwhelming. Despite having a supportive network, including her partner of eight years who proposed marriage to her last year, Abigayle struggles with feelings of incompleteness.
“I said yes because he is always supportive and he makes me feel like everything is okay; but he comes from a good family, so I know he wants his own kids,” said said.
The 29-year-old said that she is reconsidering her decision to get married, as she thinks it is unfair to her boyfriend to be his wife and not be able to give him children.
“I don’t want to do it any more,” she said in a rather depressing tone. “This year I’ve only had my cycle twice. What is the sense if I can’t give him a child, knowing he always wants children? We have tried so many times, and no treatment or advice that I get seems to work,” she continued, her voice heavy with uncertainty and sorrow.
“Every day I question God and ask Him what kind of curse is this,” she said.
Contacted by THE STAR to speak about PCOS, Dr Kimberly Sommerville, a general practitioner and clinical nutritionist who specializes in PCOS, said all is not lost for Abigayle.
“About 50 per cent of women with PCOS can have spontaneous pregnancies, just like any other woman without the condition,” she said.
She said, too, that PCOS can significantly affect mental health.
“Women with PCOS have a higher risk of anxiety and depression due to hormonal imbalances and the stress of dealing with symptoms like hair growth, weight gain, and fertility issues,” Sommerville said. “This can lead to a reduced quality of life and reluctance to engage in social activities.”