Listen to Us: What Real Support Looks Like for Women With PCOS

What Real Support Looks Like for Women With PCOS

Living with PCOS can feel isolating. But for many women, the difference between despair and hope often lies in the kind of support they receive from the people closest to them.

Across Nigeria, women with PCOS are speaking up about the little things that make them feel seen, heard, and less alone.

Take Nana, 18, for instance. She says, “I feel seen when my mother asks about my period without judgment. She even told me about her own PCOS struggles and helped me choose healthier meals. It makes me feel like I’m not battling this alone.” 

For her, a mother’s openness turned fear into courage.

Support can also come from fathers and brothers who challenge harmful narratives.

Chioma, 22, explains, “My dad always reminds me that my worth isn’t tied to marriage or having children. When my brother defends me from people making comments about my weight, I feel protected.” 

Simple words and actions like these can dismantle shame before it takes root.

For women in relationships, having a partner who chooses to learn and stand with them makes the journey lighter.

Amaka, 27, shares, “My fiancé doesn’t just tell me to ‘calm down.’ He actually goes to doctor appointments with me and learns about PCOS. His presence reassures me that I’m not a burden.”

The same is true for sisters and friends who show up in quiet ways.

Hauwa, 20, says, “My sister buys me herbal teas for cramps and prays with me when I feel hopeless. It’s her little way of saying, ‘I care for you.’” 

And for Blessing, 25, real friendship looks like grace: “Friends who understand when I cancel plans because I’m bleeding heavily, that’s real support. No guilt trips, just care.”

Even beyond the family circle, the voices of compassion matter.

For years, Kemi, 30, felt dismissed by doctors, until one gynecologist changed her experience: “The first time a doctor actually listened and didn’t blame me for my weight, I cried. Compassion from a healthcare provider can heal wounds we don’t talk about.”

Support also needs to reach younger women in schools.

Maryam, 16, remembers, “My teacher noticed I was missing classes because of my periods. Instead of punishing me, she checked in and gave me time to catch up. That small kindness meant everything.”

And in workplaces, understanding leadership makes all the difference.

Chinwe, 34, says, “My boss knows about my condition. When I need time off for treatment, he doesn’t shame me. Having an employer who understands makes me more loyal and productive.”

Community leaders, too, play a role in breaking stigma.

Chichi, 29, recalls, “When my pastor spoke about PCOS in church and prayed for women battling it, I felt seen. It broke the silence and reminded me I’m not cursed.”

Finally, support from peers who truly understand creates a safe haven.

Omolara, 26, describes joining a PCOS support group: “For the first time, I wasn’t the ‘only one.’ Every tip, every shared struggle gave me strength to keep going.”

What emerges from these voices is clear: support doesn’t always mean grand gestures. It’s in listening without judgment, standing up against stigma, showing patience, and walking alongside women in their daily battles. 

Are you willing to support us? Start now, share this article, speak up, and show up for women with PCOS.