Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is emerging as a major reproductive health challenge in Senegal. At a forum on family planning organized by the Association of Journalists in Health, Population, and Development (AJSPD) in collaboration with International Budget Partnerships (IBP), midwife Sina Diop sounded the alarm about this little-known but increasingly common condition.

A disease that affects more and more teenage girls

"Today, we receive many young girls aged 10 to 19 who sometimes go three or four months without their periods," said Ms. Diop. In many families, this absence of menstruation is quickly equated with pregnancy, plunging the teenagers into anxiety and stigmatization. However, in many cases, it is PCOS, a hormonal disorder that is crucial to recognize.

Multiple causes

PCOS can have genetic or hormonal origins, particularly linked to an excess of androgen hormones. Lifestyle changes also increase the risk. "We are eating increasingly unhealthy foods, and this promotes obesity, which in turn exacerbates metabolic disorders," explained the midwife. A sedentary lifestyle and poor diet combine to increase the prevalence. Symptoms include:

1. Irregularity or absence of periods (amenorrhea),
2. Persistent acne,
3. Hirsutism (excessive hairiness, sometimes the appearance of a beard),
4. Insulin resistance that can develop into diabetes.

These signs, often trivialized or misinterpreted, should prompt you to consult a health professional.

Infertility and diabetes: very real risks

Beyond irregular cycles, PCOS can lead to fertility difficulties and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Socially, it causes significant psychological suffering. "In our society, infertility is almost always attributed to the woman, which is extremely traumatizing for many patients," Sina Diop emphasized. While there is no definitive cure, several approaches can mitigate its effects: hormonal regulation through certain contraceptive methods, adopting a healthy lifestyle (physical activity, balanced diet), and medical protocols for pregnancy plans.

Breaking the silence to better prevent

For Sina Diop, the urgent need is to break the taboo surrounding PCOS. "We must talk about sexuality and reproductive health without taboos, fight rumors, and properly inform young girls and their families. This is the price we pay for better preventing and treating PCOS," she concluded.