The goal of PCOS Awareness Month is to create awareness around this common disorder for the general public, women, girls, and healthcare professionals.

As a registered dietitian with PCOS, I’m committed to spreading awareness of PCOS. This blog post will tell you everything you need to know about PCOS Awareness Month and how you can spread awareness too. 

When Is PCOS Awareness Month?

September is PCOS Awareness Month. World PCOS Day of Unity is celebrated on September 1st of each year, while the entire month of September is federally designated as PCOS Awareness Month.

What Is PCOS Awareness Month?

PCOS Awareness Month is a federally designated event that takes place during the month of September each year. The sponsoring organization is PCOS Challenge. They offer several different resources, information, and events throughout the month of September.

PCOS Challenge, or The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, is a US-based patient support organization. They have been instrumental in promoting advocacy for PCOS. 

In 2017, PCOS Challenge successfully advocated for PCOS to be recognized by US legislation. September was also federally designated as the month to raise awareness for PCOS in the United States (1).

The aim of PCOS awareness month is to help improve the lives of those affected by PCOS and to help them to overcome their symptoms as well as prevent and reduce their risks for life-threatening related conditions.

The 2024 PCOS Awareness Month theme is Voices of Strength, Agents of Change. The theme encourages people to share their personal stories and experience with PCOS to help support patient-centered research and contribute to initiatives that address the unmet needs of PCOS patients.

Did you know that several famous people have spoken up about their PCOS diagnosis and experiences? Read more: 15 Celebrities with PCOS Talk About Their PCOS Symptoms. 

What is PCOS?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), PCOS is one of the most common endocrine disorders with a global prevalence of 8-13% in women of reproductive age group (2). 

Although it’s discussed as a common condition for women of childbearing age, it’s not just a reproductive disorder. PCOS is actually a lifelong condition without a known cure. 

Some common symptoms of PCOS include:

• Irregular periods
• Difficulty conceiving and infertility (PCOS is actually one of the leading causes of infertility)
• Weight gain 
• Excess hair growth (facial and body hair)
• Hair loss
• Acne
• Fatigue

There is not one single test that can diagnose PCOS. Instead, a PCOS diagnosis can be made by your healthcare provider using a combination of your medical history, a physical exam, and/or blood tests. PCOS is diagnosed using the Rotterdam Criteria (3).

To be diagnosed with PCOS, you need to have at least 2 of the following 3 criteria: 

• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Ovarian cysts or polycystic ovaries seen on pelvic ultrasound
• Clinical symptoms and/or biochemical signs of excess androgens

If you’re wondering if you may have PCOS, take this quick 1 minute PCOS symptoms quiz.

While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, it has been linked to insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and high androgen levels (aka male hormones like testosterone). Unfortunately, it also increases your risk factors for other health issues such as type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes during pregnancy, heart disease, high blood pressure, and even endometrial cancer. 

Many women with PCOS have expressed frustrations with the limited treatment options that have been offered to them by their medical professionals. That’s why creating awareness is instrumental in advancing medical research so everyone can get the care they deserve.

PCOS Awareness Quotes

For more PCOS quotes, check out this post: 20 Best PCOS Quotes (Inspirational & Funny)

1. The reality is that PCOS likely affects close to 1 in 5 women worldwide. 

2. Having PCOS is not your fault. 

3. You don’t need to have cysts to be diagnosed with PCOS.

4. PCOS is not just a fertility concern. Even if you don’t want children, you’re still at a higher risk to develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 

5. Weight gain is a symptom of PCOS, not the cause…and no, weight loss will not cure PCOS.

PCOS Backgrounds for Your Phone

Take a screenshot or download one of the following PCOS photos. You can share them on social media or use it as the wallpaper on the background of your phone. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram too so I can see them in action! 

FAQs

Does PCOS have an awareness month?

Yes, September is federally recognized as PCOS Awareness Month.

Why is September a PCOS awareness month? 

In 2017, PCOS Challenge successfully advocated for PCOS to be recognized by US legislators and September was federally designated as PCOS Awareness Month.

What is the color for PCOS awareness month?

The color for PCOS Awareness Month is teal.

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