PMOS: Annual checks 'could be life-saving'

The chair of PMOS Jersey says free annual checks for people diagnosed with the condition in Jersey could be 'life-changing, or even life-saving.'

A petition has been launched, asking for Jersey's government to make sure that all people aged 10 and over, who are diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in Jersey, are offered a free annual clinical review in line with NICE recommendations.

PMOS affects around one in eight women and impacts hair growth, periods, fertility and mood, with a new study finding that it can also impact heart health.

Jessica Pinel, chair of PMOS Jersey, who launched the petition, said:

"I think that it's really important that we look at supporting women with PMOS and preventing these conditions from developing.

"Not only is it a risk to these women, but it's a risk to our national health service, there are lots of different factors to be aware of.

"The petition basically focuses in on annual reviews for people who are struggling with PMOS and in this annual review, we are looking to support people with any symptoms or signs, any concerns they may have about their period regularity, fertility, mood, risk of sleep apnea.

"It also focuses in on any medicines that they're using, any medication, and the long-term risk of developing things like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

"These annual checks could be life-changing or even life-saving in the future for women with PMOS."

New research has also found that women who suffer from PMOS face a four times higher risk of developing heart disease.

Scientists in the US analysed data from over 400,000 patients with the conditions.

It was called PCOS, but the name changed to PMOS earlier this year to better reflect that it is a full-body condition.

PMOS Jersey was set up last year as a support group for islanders who suffer from the condition.

Ms Pinel added:

"Everyone will know someone who is affected, even if they choose not to share it, they might have some of the symptoms.

"There is a broad range of symptoms - anything from apnea, to irregular periods, to infertility, that's why it's really important for this renaming to have happened.

"There are a lot of women struggling with it in the island. When we formed the group around a year ago, we had lots of women come forward, and every time we're doing an event, we have women who are happy to come forward with their story because its impacted them so much, and they want to spread that awareness.

"There is less stigma around these conditions now, which is amazing.

"If you think you've got PMOS, but you haven't got that diagnosis, I recommend seeking some medical guidance and try to get to the bottom of what's going on for you, what's driving your symptoms.

"If you feel you're not being heard, and you're not being taken seriously, you always have the right to a second opinion.

"For me, I was put in a situation where I felt that I knew there was something wrong, but I wasn't getting the answers, so I went to a different doctor to seek out a diagnosis for PMOS. I didn't know it was PMOS, but I just wanted to get to the bottom of what was going on for me.

"There are lots of great practitioners in Jersey supporting people with PMOS. We've got lots of different regulated practitioners, you have the right to seek support from those people like nutritionists, PTs, acupuncturists, counsellors, psychologists, doctors, we've got the Women's Health Hub as well, so there's lots of options out there."