8 things every woman should know about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
What do Victoria Beckham, Jools Oliver, Sarah Jessica Parker all have in common? Well, as well as being successful megastars, Mums and business women in their own right, they also all suffer with Polycycstic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS.
 PCOS is a medical condition which affects around 1 in 5 women. It is triggered when the levels of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone are out of balance, which leads to the growth of cysts on your ovaries. PCOS can cause a variety of symptoms like heavy or irregular periods, weight gain and excessive growth in body or facial hair. Worse still, if left undiagnosed it can lead to fertility issues. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown but doctors believe itâs due to genetics. Â
 In recent weeks, weâve been contacted by a number of FFS subscribers who deal with PCOS and are keen to get more people talking about it. So for this blog, weâve been speaking to one subscriber to find out more about her experiences with PCOSâŚ
  1) What is PCOS and how does it affect people?
 PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and affects how your ovaries function. and hormone levels.
 Symptoms usually become apparent in your late teens or early twenties.
 Not all women with PCOS will have all of the symptoms, and each symptom can vary from mild to severe. Many women only experience menstrual problems and/or are unable to conceive.
Common symptoms of PCOS include:
irregular   periods or no periods at all
difficulty getting pregnant (because of irregular ovulation or failure to ovulate)
excessive hair growth (hirsutism) â usually   on the face, chest, back or buttocks
thinning hair and hair loss from the headÂ
  2)  Can PCOS be treated?
 Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can't be cured, but the symptoms can be managed.
Treatment options can vary because someone with PCOS may experience a range of symptoms, or just one. (The list is far too long but can be Googled)
 3) How has PCOS affected you?
 Sadly, I suffer from all the above symptoms apart from irregular periods.
 If left untreated, PCOS can (and did for me) lead to Type 2 Diabetes as well, and it is the Metformin I take for the diabetes that keeps my periods regular.
4) How does PCOS affect your shaving routine?
 I have to shave my face daily - and sometimes twice a day if I am going out in the evening. The growth slows down for 2 -3 days during my period.
5) Youâve recently started using FFS products â how have you found them?
 I recently started shaving with an FFS shaver and Shave Cream and couldn't have been more impressed. Closest shave I have ever had, skin felt so soft afterwards and the natural coconut smell - yum.
6) Would you recommend FFS shavers to others with PCOS?
 Yes definitely and especially with the FFS Shave Cream.
 7) What other advice do you have for people who have PCOS?
 Talk to your Doctor, especially if you want to have children, and get referred to a Specialist. I was diagnosed by my GP but she didn't refer me to a Specialist. When I finally got to see one 10 years later, the condition had badly affected my fertility and at age 39, I was told I was too old for IVF on NHS. This was one of the hardest times of my life - PLEASE do not go through what I did.
 8) Where can people get help and advice on PCOS?
 The best help I've found was with an organisation called Verity - https://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/
and a site which I believe is American, Soul Cysters - http://soulcysters.com/Â Â