PCOS & The Workplace

IsabelleSerrano·May 18

Posted in:Advice Health & Wellness Lifestyle

Hi everyone,

I feel like I've been so inactive on here but so happy to have the time to be more active in this community because it has given me so much in the past few years since I joined!

For those who don't know, I have concluded my tech journey at Google in late Feb of this year. My mental health was at a decline and I couldn't give my full self at work for much longer. It was then that I realized..

My PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) was at its worst due to frequent high cortisol levels!

I understand that announcing this publicly on a forum may be a bit intrusive for some folks but any advice on how to work on it now that I am unemployed?

It is great that I am no longer in that environment or headspace but now I feel.. unproductive for lack of a better term at the moment.

Thank you for all your help in advance! 😊

Iynna·May 19

Hi Isabelle! Thank you so much for sharing your very personal story. We know it's not easy to be vulnerable especially when online. I am sorry you are going through PCOS, :( I don't have much direct advice for you on how to navigate the pain and generally living with PCOS but I wonder are you part of communities with women who are affected? I have been part of Dandi Fertility for almost a year now and i've really loved how everyone shows up for each other - it's mostly focus on fertility treatments etc but of course PCOS is a big topic that falls under that.

kimtercero·May 20

This is a great topic and thank you for sharing your personal story. This is the perfect forum and I hope you receive feedback and insight that is safe and helpful. As someone who endured fibroids for years, the lack of resources both in the corporate setting AND in our so-called health care system is appalling. Women's health issues are further exacerbated within toxic corporate environments. The work toward gender justice and a more humane workplace is so critical to begin addressing the physical harm we experience. I don't know your financial situation but I hope you have the ability to rest and decompress from your recent experience at Google. This is a wonderful time to reflect and focus on practicing self-care. As Iynna shared, there are communities that you can join that can empathize and provide you with the resources and support you need. I would encourage you to find naturalist/functional health practitioners, healers who do not follow western models. It did wonders for me! As someone who was in the emergency room due to my toxic work experience, I know the physical, mental and emotional toll it takes on us. I am feeling the strongest and healthiest I have ever been and it was done with patience, love, and with lots of help! Best of luck to you and I am sending you an abundance of healing and positive vibes!

carolynjanssen·May 20

Hi @isabelleserrano, thank you for sharing! I have a history of similar chronic health issues (hashimotos, etc), and also had to change my career quite a bit to accommodate. Sending you so much love, and confident you are on the journey to feel better! I echo what others are sharing about finding online communities with other women facing your condition. Some practitioners I follow who work with PCOS (and who I've had a good experience with) are Kale Diagnostics and Marina Wright. I am sure there are many others!If you want to connect more about the shift in caring for yourself and how that relates to career etc, feel free to reach out to me! I am figuring things out myself, but experiencing a lot of hope and improvement!

McKayRoozen·May 21

I'm sorry to hear that! Handling PCOS while not working can feel like a lot, but it's also a chance to focus on your well-being. Think of it as giving yourself some TLC time! You may start by doing things you enjoy, like taking walks, trying new recipes, or maybe even doing some yoga in your living room. If you're into it, why not explore stuff like acupuncture or herbal remedies? They might add a nice boost to your routine. Just remember, you're not in this alone. Reach out to friends or online groups for support and take things one step at a time. You got this!!

Rosi·May 24

Hi Elizabeth - So sorry to hear about your difficulty. I can only imagine what you're going through. I am a functional health coach and am happy to set up some time to see if I can help. Sending you some sunshine, relaxation and hope ☀️Rose