Picture this. You have irregular periods, you are noticing more hair on your face than usual, and your weight feels impossible to manage, no matter what you do. You brush it off. You tell yourself you are just stressed, just getting older, just adjusting to college life. But what if it is something more?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, known as PCOS, is a hormonal condition that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. It happens when the body produces higher levels of androgens than normal, which disrupts how the body functions. The symptoms include irregular periods, excess hair growth on the face and body, weight gain, acne, and even infertility. The scary part is that around 70% of women who have it do not even know. Symptoms get dismissed as normal or treated as cosmetic problems, and women go years without real answers. Women of color are even more likely to be misdiagnosed or ignored by doctors altogether.

For a long time, I noticed things going on with my own body and just kept telling myself it was normal. Not having easy access to a doctor made it even harder to get answers. That feeling of not knowing what is happening to your own body is something no woman should have to sit with alone.

If something feels off, do not ignore it. Talk to someone at the student health center or do your own research. You know your body better than anyone, and you deserve real answers.

For more information, visit pcoschallenge.org.