PCOS and implication for nurses

qpooh75 · Mar 27, 2008

I have PCOS. As a nurse there are many things I think you could help a patient with. Information about the medications used to help treat PCOS, diet, exercise and resources where to find out more about PCOS.

I have an endocrinologist that I see and she is wonderful. Her nurse is very helpful and keeps me informed of my lab values and such.

If you have any questions, just let me know.

nyapa, RN · Mar 27, 2008

I too have PCOS.

In order to understand the condition you need to look at not only what causes it, but the consequences as well.

So as the previous poster said, education is a must, but you also need to watch for the complications/consequences, and consider what role you may play there.

bjpeace · Mar 28, 2008

I too have PCOS. I agree with the prev. posts, but wanted to add emphasis to connecting patients with providers. So many women are not being diagnosed with pcos at all. And there are alot that are being managed by a gp. Unless the gp has an endocrine sub-specialty, pcos should be treated by an endocrinologist. And also helping our patients find resourses for managing the wonderful bonus symptoms of pcos is important. Symptoms such as facial hair can be very frustrating to most. Hope this helps, good luck with your paper.

Maybe we should start a nurses with pcos forum on here! I wonder how many other soul-cysters are nurses? :nurse:

maybe1day · Mar 28, 2008

Add me to the list. I have PCOS, too. I have never really had a nurse provide any interventions for me related to PCOS. I have had to do my own research and work closely with my ob/gyn (he was wonderful!) about trying different regimens and medications, etc.

I guess as a nurse, you would provide education about signs and symptoms, management of hormones, diet and nutrition related to insulin resistance, exercise, fertility issues, etc.

There is a fabulous website www.soulcysters.com that has alot of information and research links. You may want to try that site out and see if there is anything you can use.

Good luck on your project!!!

MoriahRoseRN · Mar 28, 2008

Count me in as a PCOSer. I agree with the above posters. All areas of concern would be hair growth, hair loss, diet, exercise, medication, fertility, mental health, and heart disease & diabetes prevention, ect.

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Mar 28, 2008

Yet another nurse with PCOS. It would be a wonderful disease for you to do your research paper on. Can't really add anything else that other posters have mentioned except that more health care professionals need to be more aware of this disease: it doesn't just affect fertility; it can affect your heart and endocrine system (ex. diabetes) as well.

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Mar 28, 2008

I too have PCOS. I think it's important to educate fairly early on in sex ed that really, really irregular periods is NOT normal. (I also think it's imperative that birth control is covered by health insurances because of this reason--it was the treatment first offered to me for my PCOS, and I didn't need them at all for birth control, just the hormones.)

I think a nurse can also provide support in caring for a person who is trying to lose weight with PCOS, as many with it are overweight and obese. A nurse can also support a family having difficulty conceiving.

Good luck!

qpooh75 · Mar 28, 2008

This is slightly off topic, but since everyone that has responded has PCOS I have a question.

I was just given a prescription for Vaniqa but insurance doesn't cover it and it is kind of expensive. Has anyone tried it and does it work? I don't want to spend a bunch of money if it is not going to work.

Thanks!

nursingstudent2815 · Mar 28, 2008

Thank you so much for the awesome ideas! I love this forum! I think it will be incredibly helpful in the future especially when it comes time studying for the nclex and looking for jobs. Thanks again, and oh yea I just found out I have PCOS too that's why I wanted to research it. I feel like we should start a PCOS forum since there seems to be some many of us!

I_am_Julia · Mar 29, 2008

i think a np would best answer these questions. try that forum.

hello!
i'm new to allnurses and this is my first post. i'm a new nursing student and i joined today because i am trying to come up with a good idea for my research paper, but because i am new to nursing i need some help from nurses with more experience. so, if anyone would be so kind as to help me out, i would be so thankful!!! i have to write a research paper on anything i want, so i wanted to do something about pcos, but i'm having a hard time thinking what role nurses have in this. would nurses just be there to educate patients with this syndrome? any other ideas?
thanks so much!!!

I_am_Julia · Mar 29, 2008

i've used it off and on. i usually forget to use it. but it does make the hair thinner when i remember to use it consistantly.

this is slightly off topic, but since everyone that has responded has pcos i have a question.
i was just given a prescription for vaniqa but insurance doesn't cover it and it is kind of expensive. has anyone tried it and does it work? i don't want to spend a bunch of money if it is not going to work.
thanks!