Veronica, a mother of three, served in the U.S. Army for four years.

Categorizing her experience with PCOS as challenging and often inconvenient, she explains "it can be a source of embarrassment, a topic rarely discussed openly, yet something I grapple with on a daily basis."

Physically, PCOS has brought excessive hair growth, weight gain, and fatigue into Veronica's life. Yet, it's the emotional impact that's most challenging. She describes herself as self-conscious and introverted, and it's been difficult to forge social connections or feel at ease in her own body.

"I feel like that's all they see - the growth of hair on my face and it makes it really hard to get to know people when I first meet them. "

Misconceptions and misunderstandings about PCOS bother Veronica. She's tried various approaches to manage her condition, from medical interventions to laser hair removal. However, the results have been mixed.

This is nothing new for Veronica however, in the military, addressing symptoms was challenging due to a lack of priority from military doctors. Also, discussing PCOS in her predominantly male unit was uncomfortable. She mostly managed her condition privately during her military service, a practice she continues today.

In the past, Veronica has not yet been involved in the PCOS community. Although, with this recent opportunity to connect with a few women who share similar stories, she hopes to now connect with a PCOS support group.

"The message that I'd like to share with other people is that you're not alone."

PCOS is often undiagnosed or misunderstood, making it a challenge for those affected. Lauren vividly remembers the difficulties she encountered in understanding her condition.It wasn't until high school that she decided to seek answers from her gynecologist. Despite consultations, her condition remained unclear. Eventually, a suggestion from an acquaintance led her to discover PCOS, and in 2022, she received an official diagnosis.

"it's a part of my every day life, it's so exhausting"

This condition and its effects, like hirsutism, have taken an emotional toll on her, causing self-esteem issues. "It's not just shaving your legs. I'm shaving my face twice a day, sometimes more. I keep a razor in my car. I have tweezers in every purse that I own so I don't accidentally forget."

"PCOS isn't understood, which makes it even harder and feel even heavier."

Many people are unfamiliar with the condition's complexities, including hormonal imbalances and potential fertility issues. This lack of awareness often leaves Lauren feeling isolated. She mostly chooses to keep her condition private, as she believes many people may not comprehend the hormonal and less obvious facets of PCOS.

Despite her challenges, Lauren has sought support and information from dietitians and the PCOS community. While she's gained a lot from their advice and the ability to share stories, she, of course, continues to struggle. But despite these struggles, Lauren is determined to do her part to improve PCOS awareness and help those who are fighting their own battles.

"Participating today had a lot to do with being vulnerable...I am nervous now, I am embarrassed, I am insecure, all of that right now but I think it's important that other women don't feel this way."

"I've spent a lot of my life just trying to figure out my own body."

In her own words, Katie, a 29-year-old healthcare professional, finds PCOS frustrating and often misunderstood by the medical community. She first noticed health irregularities, including abnormal hair growth and signs of systemic inflammation, during her early teen years. Despite numerous doctor visits, her concerns were frequently dismissed as stress or diet-related.

Later in life, after a candid discussion with a new physician, she received a PCOS diagnosis, finally shedding light on her condition. While the prognosis provided relief, PCOS itself remains a constant challenge. Katie's body reacts sensitively to certain foods, resulting in rapid weight gain and inflammation. Dealing with unwanted hair growth and the persistent challenge of melasma are also ongoing struggles.

Hirsutism, in particular, is one of the things Katie finds most difficult to control. She highlights the challenges of constant shaving, dealing with razor burns, and even the burden of going to the beach. “My self-perception with PCOS builds insecurity and creates doubts in my self-confidence."

Katie knows that her struggles with PCOS won't simply vanish, but she believes it has become somewhat more manageable over time. She has found solace in a community of women also facing similar challenges. Along with her openness to trying new methods to control the effects of PCOS, she looks forward to the future, not dwelling on the past.

"Treat it (your body) like an experiment...the more you know, the more you can help yourself and feel better with time."

A 24-year-old student, from her childhood to adulthood, Morgan says PCOS has touched every aspect of her life - including her relationships, health, and mental well-being.

Signs of her condition first appeared early on for Morgan. This led to challenges in school, as she was bullied for the hair on her arms and face, making it difficult to build friendships.

Despite the challenges, living with PCOS has made her stronger. With the support of her mom and sisters, she has learned to stand up for herself. She recognizes that many women face similar struggles and that PCOS can be emotionally taxing. However, she has embraced it as a part of who she is"PCOS has been a curse and a blessing for me, but it's a big part of what made me who I am today."

In her quest to manage PCOS, Morgan has explored different treatment options, from lotions to shaving, waxing and threading. However, none provided a permanent or painless solution. She believes that having a reliable and comfortable hair removal option would be life-changing.

Morgan's message to women with PCOS is clear: don't hide, there's help.

"You're not alone out there."