There have been calls for more awareness of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - a condition that affects how the ovaries work.

1 in 5 women suffer from PCOS, a statistic that could be much higher, as an estimated 70% of sufferers are currently undiagnosed.  At present, the NHS does not offer treatment for the condition and women are increasingly turning to private clinics in their desperation to find relief from its debilitating symptoms. 

PCOS spokesperson and awareness advocate, Shireen Khan, has been offering a specialised PCOS membership at her aesthetics clinic in London, which she has kept open over the lockdown to ensure that women are still able to access the important treatments that ease their symptoms.

Having battled PCOS herself and experienced first-hand the range of painful and upsetting symptoms it causes, Shireen is determined to bring PCOS into the spotlight, speaking out about the need for increased awareness of the link between PCOS and mental health, as well as the stigma felt by women who cope in silence with the devastating symptoms of the condition. 

Women with PCOS experience symptoms such as excessive hair growth, acne, weight gain, hair loss, and more.   This can have an extremely damaging effect on self-esteem. Shireen has worked closely with women at her clinics in London since 2015, where she offers a vast range of beauty treatments carried out by expert aestheticians. 

Many of these treatments, for example, laser hair removal, can be used to manage the symptoms of PCOS, and, noticing a trend in the number of women accessing her clinic to treat these symptoms, Shireen offers a PCOS membership to support clients in need of longer-term treatment.

The PCOS membership has been specifically tailored to ease the physical, mental, and emotional impact of PCOS. It offers an initial consultation and assessment, and up to 50% off treatments that target and treat the aesthetic side effects of PCOS. 

The clinic also hosts private events across London, aimed at bringing women together in a comfortable and supportive environment. 

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Shireen is now devoted to raising awareness about the impact of PCOS on mental health and the ways in which this has been exacerbated by the pandemic. 

Shireen said: "Stress affects the body in many ways and can have a significant impact upon the menstrual cycle, leading to shorter or longer cycles, or even missed periods. 

"For people with PCOS, this can be especially disheartening. Already struggling with irregular cycles, the stress of coping with changing COVID restrictions can exacerbate these problems further; creating a cycle of stress that wreaks havoc on mental health.

"We are creating a safe space where people can talk and share their experiences, free of judgement and shame.

"Our goal is to empower women to take back control by giving them access to therapeutic treatments to boost their confidence, while creating an environment fuelled by empathy, where people can relax and feel safe."

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