Last week Dame Rebecca Harris attended an event in the House of Commons that focused on how the diagnosis pathways for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) could be improved. The event was hosted by Verity, a charity focused on those who have the condition.

1 in 8 women in the UK are living with PCOS. Symptoms include irregular periods, excess hair, acne, alopecia, weight management difficulties, depression and anxiety. PCOS also carries increased risks during pregnancy, and of developing type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease and endometrial cancer. 

If the condition is if not properly managed, it can lead to additional health problems in later life and is one of the leading causes of fertility problems in women.

Verity is a patient advocacy group that aims to raise awareness around the condition and educate, support and empower those with PCOS, as well as improve the quality of, access to, and choice of treatments available.

After the event, Dame Rebecca said: “I was pleased to support such a worthy cause, for a condition that effects millions of women across the country and globally. Verity provides a vital role in raising awareness for PCOS and helping women access the support they need.”

You can find out more about the work of Verity, get more information on the symptoms of PCOS, and get support as a patient, via their website, https://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/.