Great collaborative meeting this evening with the talented & fun Sci_Comm_Ladies and my equally fab colleague Thaís Pagliaro Rocha! We are planning our next @DAISyPCOS workshop & putting the finishing touches on the next series of illustrations! #PublicEngagement #WomenInSTEM #SciArt

Q:Why is the term “polycystic ovary syndrome” misleading? A:Women with #PCOS do not have cysts in their ovaries, while some women without the disorder do develop cysts. Post created in collaboration with DAISy-PCOS Thaís Pagliaro Rocha @GalacticZoo #pcosawareness #scicomm #SciArt

We are also very excited! :)

Massive thanks to DAISy-PCOS leaders for sharing their stories with us, such a humbling experience! We feel motivated to visualize their creative ideas and create cartoons to depict different aspects of their experience and raise awareness of #PCOS. #scicomm #sciart #womenshealth

Sorry for the wait. This week we are back to present the vicious circle of testosterone and insulin production and possible causes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (#pcos). Post created in collaboration with DAISy-PCOS Thaís Pagliaro Rocha @GalacticZoo #pcosawareness #scicomm #sciart

Do you know that fat cells also produce testosterone (T) under the effect of insulin? Our post explains the vicious cycle of T and insulin excess in fat and beta cells. Post created in collaboration with DAISy-PCOS Thaís Pagliaro Rocha @GalacticZoo #scicomm #sciart #pcosawareness

There is no cure for the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Its treatment focuses on symptom management to induce regular periods, decrease the testosterone level/block its action, help with weight loss, and improve insulin function. #pcosawareness #pcos #scicomm #sciart

Did you know September is #PCOSAwareness month? Our🌼DAISy-PCOS Leaders (lived experience group) & research team have partnered with the brilliant Sci_Comm_Ladies (Chiara & Weiwei) to co-create a new series of illustrations to share with you all this week! Keep an eye out...👀

This is the first cartoon of an illustration series that we developed in collaboration with DAISy-PCOS raising awareness for #PCOS. Keep an eye out for the other 3 in the next couple of days. #pcosawarenessmonth #scicomm #sciart

PCOS can have visible & invisible impacts on a woman’s life. Lack of awareness about #PCOS in society means that friends, partners & co-workers may not understand these inward or outward struggles at times. Physical & emotional impacts also vary between women #PCOSAwareness 1/5

Men especially might feel #PCOS is a “girl problem” not to be discussed, but this isn’t a very helpful attitude because it could be impacting their mothers, sisters, girlfriends & wives! Sometimes it’s about how you phrase the questions & when to ask them 3/5

In fact, many women with PCOS have told us that they would be happy to share their lived experiences with others – including men – to raise awareness & reduce misunderstanding associated with #PCOS. “May I ask…” can be a simple & nice way to start a one-to-one conversation 4/5

Addressing a woman’s main #PCOS concerns (within medical guidelines & resources available, of course!) can help women feel they are directing their own care with expert support & guidance. This can create a bridge to mutual understanding, improving trust in healthcare systems 3/4

This is our third cartoon in collaboration with DAISy-PCOS depicting the obstacles in the diagnostic journey for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (#pcos ) #pcosawareness #scicomm #sciart

PCOS is common, affecting 1 in 10 women🌍. Yet stigma can prevent people talking about it & women with #PCOS can feel alone, hiding what they are going through. Many are unaware of how many others are experiencing feelings & symptoms similar to them. How can we change this? 1/3

Let’s get talking! Talking about #PCOS with each other & through wider public engagement can raise awareness & understanding. This can help break down stigma & misinformation, creating a greater sense of community & advocacy for high quality research on PCOS & women's health 2/3