Why you should manage your PCOS with an interdisciplinary approach

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects 10% of menstruating people in their reproductive years and accounts for nearly 70% of infertility cases. However, PCOS is more than a fertility issue; it is a whole-body chronic condition. People with PCOS are more prone to develop other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, endometrial cancer, endometriosis, and mental health issues. So why is it not talked about more?

There are several reasons for this. The female body has been a missing piece of medical research for decades and let’s be honest: it shows, especially in the world of reproductive and hormonal health. It takes an average of two to three years for a PCOS diagnosis (1) and after a diagnosis, people with PCOS are not given the education and resources needed to manage symptoms and reduce long-term health risks. 

In fact, most people surveyed indicated their doctors did not provide adequate information about the condition, leading them to seek out answers on their own online (2). While the internet can be a fantastic resource, it is also full of contradicting material and clickbait, which makes it difficult to find reliable, science-backed information.

We know how frustrating and tedious it is to weed through endless articles while making time for doctor visits that may not even provide the answers you’re looking for. That’s where Pollie steps in.

Pollie’s PCOS Program provides a dedicated PCOS care team, advanced labs, research-backed education resources, personalized lifestyle and supplement recommendations, and more to complement your existing care. We also offer extensive, evidence-based resources to help you understand the “why” behind your symptoms to help you take control of your PCOS. 

We believe in finding long-term and sustainable solutions to manage PCOS holistically while keeping your lifestyle preferences, values, and goals in mind. Keep reading to find out how our interdisciplinary approach is changing PCOS management!

PCOS is more than just a fertility disorder, and that’s why a more proactive approach is needed. 

Why does managing PCOS even matter? In addition to the impact it can have on day-to-day quality of life, research shows that people with PCOS have a higher risk of developing other chronic medical conditions beyond reproductive challenges. Below are a few conditions to be aware of if you have PCOS.

Diabetes: Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body's cells become resistant to insulin or produce an abnormal amount of insulin. A person with PCOS may experience insulin resistance, resulting in high blood sugar levels. Having high blood sugar levels for a prolonged period can lead to type 2 diabetes if untreated. 

Endometrial cancer: People with PCOS may experience problems with ovulation, excess weight, insulin resistance, and diabetes, which increases their risk for endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the uterus.

Heart Disease: A cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or stroke is twice as likely to occur in people with PCOS (3). The cause is associated risk factors such as being overweight, being insulin resistant, having high blood pressure, and/or having increased cholesterol levels. We talk more about heart health here.

‍Mental Health: People with PCOS experience a wide range of symptoms including weight gain, acne, hair loss, hirsutism, and more. In addition to the physical side effects of PCOS, mental and emotional health can also suffer as a result. PCOS increases risk for depression and anxiety by 3x, but conventional healthcare often does not address these heightened risks (4). Click here to read more about how PCOS affects mental health.

Our  team is committed to helping you find lasting ways to manage your condition as a whole rather than just reacting to symptoms in the short-term. By providing you with more personalized tools, one of our main goals is to help you learn how to take back control of your long-term health and ultimately reduce risks for these risks mentioned above. 

Learn more about the health risks of PCOS here.

We are redefining PCOS care at Pollie

At Pollie, we connect people with PCOS to the tools and support they need in one place. We recognize there is no “one size fits all” solution to managing PCOS. We aim to offer all the resources you need to help control symptoms in a way that fits your current lifestyle and future goals and mitigate the risk for other health conditions. 

And here’s how we’re doing that!

Streamlined PCOS care

When you join the program, you will be welcomed by a dedicated team consisting of a care coordinator, functional nutritionist, and certified health coach who will be supporting you through your PCOS journey. You’ll share your symptoms, goals, preferences, and life stage to have personalized care catered specifically to your needs.

Unlimited multidisciplinary support

After some lab work (either through Pollie or your doctor), you can discuss the results with your functional nutritionist who will help you gain a deeper understanding of what may be triggering your symptoms. You will also be provided with a personal PCOS Plan that will guide you through ways to optimize your diet, exercise, stress management, and, if needed, targeted supplements. 

You will have periodic virtual consults with your functional nutritionist and health coach to check in on your progress. In addition, you will have unlimited chat support from your health coach and care coordinator should any questions arise.

Personalized approach

PCOS is a complex condition that requires an individualized approach. After a PCOS diagnosis, hormonal birth control, metformin, and spironolactone are often recommended to help symptoms. While we fully support medication when it is necessary, we also recognize that your goals, life stage, and preferences should be taken into consideration. Although we do not prescribe medication today, we will support you through making your decision and provide you with the information you need to discuss with your doctor. At Pollie, we believe in taking a personalized technique to curate a plan that works for you and your lifestyle.

Tailored educational resources

As mentioned previously, when surveyed over half of people diagnosed with PCOS felt they had to educate themselves on the condition via the internet (1). Understanding the “why” behind your symptoms can have a significant impact on your health and provide the power to pinpoint specific triggers. 

Being armed with the right information can lead more productive conversations with your doctor and a better relationship with your PCOS journey. For that reason, we have created an extensive library of resources to help you take control of your symptoms through education.

Symptom tracking

Keeping tabs on what works versus what does not for your symptoms can be challenging to say the least. Our app’s symptom tracking feature allows you to do this in a more efficient way, so that you and your care team can begin to understand more about what works for your specific body. Plus, this feature includes all symptoms relating to PCOS, not just menstrual cycle-related changes. 

Community

As you’ve probably gathered by now, we know PCOS is challenging and it can be difficult to go it alone. That is why we provide the option for you to connect with other members who share a similar life stage or goals to you. 

We are committed to expanding access to quality care for PCOS and breaking down systemic disparities. 

Our vision is not just to redefine the patient experience for PCOS, but also to expand access to quality healthcare resources to everyone with this hormone imbalance. Our team is committed to providing unbiased care for menstruating people, and we welcome and celebrate members of all races, genders, and sexual orientations. 

When it comes to healthcare, we know that some groups face greater systemic hurdles. For example, Hispanic people are 2x more likely to have PCOS and Black people are also disproportionately affected by this hormone issue (5). We are striving for a product that is inclusive and welcoming for all communities. If you think we could be doing better or have specific feedback, please let us know at hello@pollie.co. 

PCOS has also been shown to impact people of lower socioeconomic groups more frequently and more severely (6). While we are not currently covered by health insurance, we are working hard towards that goal and our program does fall within HSA/FSA coverage. We encourage you to reach out to our team at hello@pollie.co if you would like to learn more about potential discounts you may qualify for. 

‍We are here to listen and ensure your thoughts are taken into consideration for our PCOS program, so please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or feedback!

References

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1. Gibson-Helm, M., Teede, H., Dunaif, A., & Dokras, A. (2017). Delayed Diagnosis and a Lack of Information Associated With Dissatisfaction in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 102(2), 604–612. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2016-2963
2. Gibson-Helm, M., Teede, H., Dunaif, A., & Dokras, A. (2017). Delayed Diagnosis and a Lack of Information Associated With Dissatisfaction in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 102(2), 604–612. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2016-2963
3. Michos, E. D. (Ed.). (n.d.). Polycystic ovarian syndrome: How your ovaries can affect your heart. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-how-your-ovaries-can-affect-your-heart#:~:text=PCOS%20risk%20factors%2C%20like%20being,or%20stroke%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20says 
4. Blay SL, Aguiar JV, Passos IC. Polycystic ovary syndrome and mental disorders: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016 Nov 8;12:2895-2903. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S91700. PMID: 27877043; PMCID: PMC5108561.
5. Hillman, J. K., Johnson, L. N., Limaye, M., Feldman, R. A., Sammel, M., & Dokras, A. (2014). Black women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have increased risk for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease compared with white women with PCOS [corrected]. Fertility and sterility, 101(2), 530–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.10.055
6. Merkin, Sharon & Azziz, Ricardo & Seeman, Teresa & Calderon-Margalit, Ronit & Daviglus, Martha & Kiefe, Catarina & Matthews, Karen & Sternfeld, Barbara & Siscovick, David. (2011). Socioeconomic Status and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Journal of women's health (2002). 20. 413-9. 10.1089/jwh.2010.2303. 

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