Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder of reproductive-age women worldwide. PCOS involves chronic anovulation causing menstrual irregularity and hormone imbalances. The symptoms PCOS patients encounter can vary greatly by individual, making inaccurate diagnosis of the disease common. A delayed or missed diagnosis is emotionally taxing on patients and can increase their risk of long-term comorbidities. Unclear diagnostic guidelines, inconsistency between providers, and lack of public awareness all contribute to an unsatisfactory diagnostic experience for patients.
This study proposes to identify women in the community that could potentially have undiagnosed PCOS and educate them about the condition. Hirsutism is an exceedingly common symptom of PCOS but relatively rare in the general population and, therefore, has been chosen as the indicator for potentially undiagnosed PCOS. The study will take place at laser hair removal facilities, in order to maximize the chances of recruiting participants with hirsutism. Six months after receiving PCOS education, participants will be contacted to record if they scheduled a medical consultation for PCOS diagnosis. This community outreach will hopefully bring PCOS awareness to those at risk to encourage earlier diagnosis and treatment.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bu.edu/oai:open.bu.edu:2144/49450 |
| Date | 31 October 2024 |
| Creators | Cabas, Melis |
| Contributors | White, Susan, Weinstein, John |
| Source Sets | Boston University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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