Rochelle Lewis is among more than 170 million women worldwide diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition she says is poorly understood and often stigmatised.
The BBC reports that Ms Lewis is backing a campaign to rename PCOS, arguing that the current name focuses on cysts rather than the underlying hormonal disorder. She believes a new name could improve diagnosis rates and reduce the shame many women feel.
“Rochelle Lewis is among 170 million women with PCOS and is backing a campaign to rename the condition to reduce stigma and improve diagnosis. The BBC reports her story as part of a global push for change.”
The condition affects women of reproductive age and can cause irregular periods, infertility, weight gain, and excess hair growth. The global figure of 170 million highlights the scale of the issue, but UK-specific prevalence data is not included in the BBC report.
In the UK, PCOS is one of the most common endocrine disorders. The campaign for renaming has gained traction among patient groups and some clinicians, who argue that the term 'polycystic' is misleading because not all women with the condition have cysts on their ovaries. Rochelle Lewis told the BBC that changing the name could 'help other women' seek diagnosis earlier and access appropriate treatment.
The BBC article does not specify which organisations are leading the rename effort, but Ms Lewis's personal story is central to the campaign. She describes the relief of finally understanding her symptoms after years of misdiagnosis.
What happens next: The campaigners are calling on medical bodies, including those in the UK, to reconsider the official name of PCOS. No formal decisions have been announced.
What This Means For You: Women in the UK who suspect they have PCOS may find it easier to discuss their symptoms if the condition is renamed. The campaign aims to reduce stigma, which could encourage more women to seek medical help. There is no change to NHS diagnostic criteria or treatment at this stage. For now, the global figure of 170 million serves as a reminder of how common PCOS is.