Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. It is characterized by symptoms such as overweight, infertility, irregular menstruation, acne and hirsutism. It increases the risk of complications such as cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. Approximately 10-20% of women worldwide are affected by PCOS, and most are diagnosed during their teenage years. Aim: The aim was to explore and describe women´s experiences of living with polycystic ovary syndrome. Method: A literature review with a descriptive design was conducted. The literature search was performed using PubMed and CINAHLdatabases. Ten qualitative original articles were assessed as having insignificant or minor flaws and were included in the study. The articles were analyzed using Popenoe´s guidelines for article analysis, which consists of three steps. Results: The results were presented in five categories; to receive the diagnosis, a changed appearance, sexual health issues, worry and sadness and support and information. The majority of women expressed frustration with the lack of information and support from healthcare services. Conclusion: Women in the study expressed frustration with the lack of information and support from healthcareservices. They wanted more specific information about symptoms, treatments and long-term effects of PCOS. They also wanted individualized guidance on diet, exercise and coping with mental health problems. The study shows that there is a great need for improved care for women with PCOS. Healthcare services should focus on providing women with the information an support they need to manage their condition and improve their quality of life.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:uu-526696 |
| Date | January 2024 |
| Creators | Öhman, Tuva, Holm, Hilda |
| Publisher | Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för folkhälso- och vårdvetenskap |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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