Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age, is gaining recognition in Nigeria, yet many patients continue to struggle in silence due to poor awareness, misdiagnosis, and cultural barriers around reproductive health.
For many Nigerian women, symptoms such as irregular periods, excessive hair growth, acne, weight gain, thinning hair, dark skin patches, fatigue, and difficulty conceiving often go unexplained for years. Some are only diagnosed after multiple hospital visits, while others turn to social media to understand their conditions.
Annabel Anselm, diagnosed with PCOS in 2022, said she received little guidance from her doctor. “I was just given birth control pills without much explanation. I had to turn to TikTok to learn about my symptoms and how to manage them. It has been trial and error — cutting out dairy, reducing sugar, increasing protein. I’ve battled facial hair, hyperpigmentation, and emotional stress. It hasn’t been easy,” she told The Guardian.
For Joyce Onwurah, 21, the diagnosis followed prolonged menstruation. She described managing PCOS as an exhausting cycle of medication and uncertainty. “It is heartbreaking to live with symptoms that come and go. The drugs don’t provide a cure, but when I stop them, things get worse. Sometimes I feel it is pointless,” she said.
Doctors, however, insist that PCOS is manageable with the right approach. Dr. Stanley Egbogu, a gynaecologist at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, said many women suffer unnecessarily because they fail to seek specialist care. “Once a woman has a gynaecologist, PCOS becomes easy to manage. Hormone tests and pelvic scans are available in Nigeria, and treatment is not expensive or complicated,” he explained.
He added that PCOS often runs in families and may skip generations. Excessive hair growth and weight gain, he said, are common, but can be controlled.
“The key is to correct the menstrual cycle and encourage weight loss, especially for women trying to conceive. With proper medication and lifestyle changes, many women go on to get pregnant naturally,” Dr. Egbogu said.
At the same time, he cautioned against sensationalising the condition. “PCOS is not a public health crisis. It is something that can be managed. Women should not be afraid. With proper treatment, they can live healthy lives and have children,” he said.
Another medical expert, Dr. Claire Duru Nwokoro, explained that PCOS occurs when the ovaries produce excessive male hormones called androgens, disrupting ovulation. This hormonal imbalance, she said, leads to symptoms such as irregular or absent periods, acne, unusual hair growth on the chin or chest, and weight gain.
Diagnosis, according to her, requires a combination of clinical observations and tests.
“We usually look at irregular cycles, elevated androgen levels, and the presence of multiple cysts in the ovaries during an ultrasound. Hormonal panels — including LH, FSH, AMH, prolactin, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone — are crucial, as well as thyroid function tests to rule out other conditions,” Dr. Nwokoro explained.
She stressed that while PCOS can affect fertility, many patients conceive naturally with proper lifestyle management. “Insulin resistance often interferes with ovulation, but adopting healthy eating, regular exercise, and maintaining the right weight makes a big difference,” she said.
As more Nigerian women open up about their struggles, medical experts emphasise that early diagnosis and consistent care remain the most effective way to manage PCOS and reduce the physical and emotional toll it takes on patients.
