Issue Nine: Sep/Oct '22

Affecting one in ten women * in the UK, PCOS “is a common condition describing a set of symptoms that can include: missing or delayed ovulation, acne, facial hair, hair loss, weight gain and infertility,” explains Nicki Williams, award-winning nutritionist, author and expert in women’s health and hormones. Melis Ates Belindir, 29-year-old YouTube star and beauty therapist, was diagnosed with PCOS at 16. “The two main symptoms I experience are irregular periods and excess hair on the face and body,” says Melis. “When I described my symptoms to my doctor, I was sent to get a blood test and an ultrasound scan. The ultrasound results came back clear, showing no cysts in my ovaries, however my blood test results showed high testosterone levels, resulting in a diagnosis of PCOS,” she shares. As the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, there is no medical cure, says Nicki. Her advice is to treat symptoms through 1/ FAACE Period Face Mask 100ml / £27 2/ FLO X NETFLIX Period Pants Pink £24.99 * NHS UK, Polycystic ovary syndrome Overview, 1st February 2019 TIM E OF THE MO NTH MUST-HAVES 1 2 INSIDE OUT