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Should You Be Concerned About PCOS?

should I be concerned with having PCOS

In short: Yes, but you should feel empowered, not afraid. PCOS isn’t life-threatening, but it can have a ripple effect on multiple aspects of your health. It’s important to understand the potential complications so you can take proactive steps early.

Some health impacts associated with unmanaged PCOS include:

  • Infertility or difficulty conceiving due to irregular ovulation
  • Insulin resistance and increased risk of type 2 diabetes
  • Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
  • High blood pressure and cholesterol issues
  • Endometrial cancer risk, especially with long-term missed periods
  • Mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of PCOS?

PCOS doesn’t look the same in everyone, which is why it can go undiagnosed for years. Recognising the most common symptoms can help you identify when to seek support.

Key signs and symptoms of PCOS include:

  • Irregular, infrequent, or absent periods
  • Excess facial or body hair (hirsutism)
  • Persistent acne, oily skin, or scalp issues
  • Thinning hair or hair loss on the scalp
  • Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
  • Darkened skin patches (acanthosis nigricans)
  • Fatigue or low mood
  • Trouble getting pregnant

How Is PCOS Diagnosed?

PCOS is diagnosed based on a combination of symptoms, blood test results, and imaging, not on cysts alone. The Rotterdam criteria are widely used to confirm diagnosis.

You only need two of the following three criteria for a diagnosis:

  1. Irregular or absent ovulation (e.g. missed or infrequent periods)
  2. Signs of elevated androgens, such as acne, unwanted hair, or high testosterone
  3. Polycystic-appearing ovaries seen on ultrasound

Can PCOS Be Managed?

Yes. While PCOS has no cure, symptoms can be managed effectively with lifestyle changes, medication, and individualised care. The goal is to support your hormonal balance, cycle regularity, metabolic health, and overall wellbeing.

Treatment options your GP may discuss with you include:

  • Lifestyle support: Nutrition changes, strength-based exercise, weight management, and sleep
  • Hormonal therapies: Birth control pills, anti-androgen medications, or ovulation inducers
  • Insulin-regulating medications: Such as metformin for those with insulin resistance
  • Targeted supplements: Including inositol, vitamin D, or magnesium
  • Emotional support: Mental health care, therapy referrals, and self-care strategies

When Should You See a Doctor About PCOS?

If you’re experiencing any symptoms linked to PCOS even mildly it’s worth having a conversation with your doctor. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.

Speak to your GP if you notice any of the following:

  • Menstrual cycles that are irregular or absent
  • Excessive hair growth, acne, or scalp hair thinning
  • Difficulty losing weight despite healthy habits
  • Low energy, poor mood, or feeling hormonally “off”
  • Trouble getting pregnant after 6–12 months of trying

Is PCOS Genetic?

Yes, PCOS can run in families. While the exact cause of PCOS is still being researched, there is a strong genetic link. If your mother or sister has PCOS, your chances of developing it may be higher. Experts believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors influences the development of PCOS.

Can PCOS Cause Hair Loss and Is It Reversible?

Yes, PCOS can lead to hair thinning or hair loss due to elevated androgen levels. This type of hair loss, known as androgenic alopecia, often affects the scalp in a pattern similar to male hair loss. The good news is that it is usually reversible. With appropriate treatment such as hormonal therapy or lifestyle changes, many women notice improvements in hair thickness and overall hair health.

Does PCOS Continue After Menopause?

PCOS does not go away after menopause. While ovulation and periods stop, many of the hormonal imbalances and metabolic risks associated with PCOS can persist. These include a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Ongoing medical support and lifestyle care remain important even after menopause.

Can PCOS Cause Endometriosis?

PCOS does not directly cause endometriosis, but it is possible to have both conditions at the same time. They are separate medical issues that affect the reproductive system in different ways, although both can impact fertility and overall hormonal health. And it is possible for a person to have both PCOS and endometriosis. Although unrelated, these conditions can coexist, making diagnosis and management more complex. For example, someone may experience irregular periods from PCOS along with chronic pelvic pain from endometriosis.

If you are noticing overlapping symptoms such as period irregularity, pelvic discomfort, or fertility concerns, speak to a qualified GP for comprehensive evaluation and support.

Get Personalised PCOS Management at Sirona Women’s Health

If you’re living with symptoms of PCOS or wondering whether your hormonal health is on track, you don’t need to manage it alone. Even mild or vague symptoms can signal an underlying hormonal imbalance that deserves attention.

At Sirona Women’s Health in Brisbane, our all-female GP team offers expert, compassionate care for women experiencing PCOS whether you’re newly diagnosed, have been managing it for years, or simply want answers about your reproductive health.

Book your consultation online or contact our friendly team today to take the next step toward feeling your best. We take the time to listen, assess your full picture, and provide evidence-based options tailored to your body, lifestyle, and goals.

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Take the first step towards better health

At Sirona Women’s Health, we’re dedicated to providing you with the personalised, high-quality care you deserve. Our experienced all-female clinic, serving Annerley and the Greater Brisbane area, is ready to listen, support, and empower you through every stage of your healthcare journey.

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What we do

INTRODUCTION

This privacy policy is to provide information to you, our patient, on how your personal information (which includes your health information) is collected and used within our practice, and the circumstances in which we may share it with third parties. Our obligations are set under the Privacy Act 1988.

WHAT IS PRIVACY?

As an individual, the Privacy Act grants you enhanced authority over the management of your personal data. Under the Privacy Act, you have the right to:

  • Understand the purpose behind the collection of your personal data, its intended use, and who will have access to it.
  • Opt not to disclose your identity or to use an alias in specific situations.
  • Request access to your personal data, including health information.
  • Cease receiving unsolicited direct marketing communications.
  • Request correction of any inaccuracies in your personal information.
  • Lodge a complaint against an organization or agency covered by the Privacy Act if you believe they have mishandled your personal information.

WHY AND WHEN YOUR CONSENT IS NECESSARY

By becoming a patient at our practice, you grant consent for our general practitioners and practice personnel to access and utilize your personal data to deliver optimal healthcare services. Access to your personal information will be restricted to staff members who require it for your care. Should there arise a necessity to utilize your information for purposes beyond healthcare provision, we will obtain your explicit consent beforehand.

HOW CAN YOU LODGE A PRIVACY RELATED COMPLAINT AND HOW THE COMPLAINT WILL BE HANDLED AT OUR PRACTICE

We treat privacy-related complaints and concerns with utmost seriousness. We encourage you to communicate any privacy issues you may have in written form. Subsequently, we will endeavor to address and resolve them in accordance with our established resolution procedure. Complaints can be forwarded to our Practice Manager delivered to 1/720 Ipswich Road, Annerley 4103. You may also wish to have a confidential chat with our Practice Manager beforehand. Our Practice Manager can be reached by phoning our practice during business hours – Monday – Friday. All complaints are likely to be responded to and actioned within 2 business days.

WHY DO WE COLLECT, USE, HOLD AND SHARE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

To deliver healthcare services effectively, our practice requires the collection of your personal information. Our primary objective in collecting, utilizing, storing, and managing your personal data is to oversee your healthcare needs. Additionally, we employ this information for associated business activities, including financial transactions, practice evaluations, accreditation processes, and operational functions such as staff training.

DEALING WITH OUT PRACTICE ANONYMOUSLY

You possess the right to engage with us anonymously or under a pseudonym, unless such actions are deemed impractical, or unless legal obligations or authorizations necessitate interaction solely with identified individuals.

WHAT TYPES OF INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT?

Your doctor relies on information regarding your past and present health to deliver quality care. Data pertaining to your health, medical history, or anticipated medical treatments is termed “personal health information” if it enables someone to identify you.

Our practice adheres to the Guidelines on Privacy in the Private Health Sector outlined by the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner. This commitment ensures the confidentiality and security of your personal health information.

We maintain a documented policy outlining the handling of your personal health information, which is accessible to all patients for review.

The information we collect encompasses:

  • Names, date of birth, addresses, and contact details
  • Medical details including medical history, medications, allergies, adverse events, immunizations, social history, family history, and risk factors
  • Medicare number (where available) for identification and claiming purposes
  • Healthcare identifiers
  • Health fund details

HOW WE COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Our practice may gather your personal information through various channels:

  • During your initial appointment, our staff will collect your personal and demographic details as part of the registration process.
  • Throughout the provision of medical services, we may gather additional personal information.
  • Your personal information may also be obtained when you interact with us via our website, email, SMS, telephone calls, online appointments, or social media.
  • In certain situations, personal information may be sourced from other avenues, as it may not always be feasible or reasonable to collect it directly from you. This may involve information obtained from your guardian or responsible person, other healthcare providers involved in your care (such as specialists, allied health professionals, hospitals, community health services, pathology, and diagnostic imaging services), as well as pertinent information from your health fund, Medicare, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs when necessary.

PRIVACY AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

Our practice frequently receives communications via email, however in order to adhere to Australian Privacy Principals and ensure a more efficient and reliable service for our patients, we have transitioned away from email as our primary form of communication.

It’s important to note that our practice also does not engage in communication with patients via social media. We have implemented a social media policy to ensure adherence to professional standards. If you would like a copy of this policy, please inform our reception staff.

Our patients are still able to submit non-urgent enquiries via email or via our website however depending on the nature of the enquiry, should expect a 2 day turn around. For more urgent matters, we encourage our patients to phone our Practice during business hours – Monday-Friday.

Privacy is a priority for us, even on our website. Here’s how we ensure your privacy is respected:

  • Secure Connection: Our website is encrypted to protect your data when you interact with us online.
  • Limited Data Collection: We only collect necessary personal information on our website, and we’re transparent about what we collect and why.
  • Data Protection Measures: We employ robust security measures to safeguard any information you provide on our website from unauthorized access or misuse.
  • Third-Party Policies: If our website uses third-party services (like analytics or social media plugins), we ensure they also prioritize user privacy.
  • Cookie Policy: We inform you about our use of cookies and give you options to manage your preferences.
  • Clear Communication: We’re upfront about our privacy practices and provide easy-to-understand

WHERE WE STORE AND PROTECT PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

This practice utilizes electronic records for efficient management of patient information. Any physical documents such as specialist letters, X-rays, CT scans, and pathology results received via post are securely stored away from public view until they are scanned into our computer system. Once the necessary actions have been taken, these documents are securely destroyed following appropriate protocols.

To ensure the security of personal health information, our practice implements various measures including screen savers, passwords, anti-viral software, firewalls, regular data backups, and maintenance routines.

Your doctor is committed to maintaining the integrity of your medical record, ensuring that it is:

  • Accurate, comprehensive, well-organized, and legible
  • Up-to-date
  • Sufficiently informative for another healthcare provider to deliver care
  • Free of offensive or irrelevant remarks
  • Includes a summary of your care
  • Can be used, with your permission, to remind you of follow-up appointments, checkups, and reviews

Your doctor will only collect information that is pertinent to your medical care. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the information being requested, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for clarification.

WHEN, WHY AND WITH WHOM DO WE SHARE YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

We occasionally share your personal information in the following circumstances:

  • With third parties collaborating with our practice for business purposes, such as accreditation agencies or information technology providers. These third parties are obligated to adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and our privacy policy.
  • With other healthcare providers involved in your care.
  • When required or authorized by law, such as in response to court subpoenas.
  • In situations where it is necessary to mitigate or prevent a serious threat to a patient’s life, health, or safety, or to public health or safety, or when obtaining the patient’s consent is impractical.
  • To aid in locating a missing person or to establish, exercise, or defend a legal claim.
  • For confidential dispute resolution processes.
  • When statutory requirements mandate sharing certain personal information, such as mandatory notification of certain diseases.
  • As part of providing medical services, including through electronic transfer of prescriptions and My Health Record.
  • When booking appointments online via Hotdoc.

Access to your information is restricted to individuals who require it for legitimate purposes. Outside of providing medical services or as outlined in this policy, our practice will not share personal information with any third party without your written consent.

We will not disclose your personal information to entities outside Australia (except under exceptional circumstances permitted by law) without your written consent. Our practice will refrain from using your personal information for direct marketing of our goods or services without your explicit consent. If you do consent, you retain the right to opt out of direct marketing at any time by notifying our practice in writing.

Your personal information may be utilized by our practice to enhance the quality of services we offer through research and analysis of patient data. We may provide de-identified data to other organizations to improve population health outcomes. This information is securely stored within Australia, and patients cannot be individually identified. If you prefer not to have your information included, please inform our reception staff.

HOW YOU CAN ACCESS AND CORRECT YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

You have the right to access the information contained in your medical record. We believe that sharing information fosters good communication between you and your doctor, promoting optimal healthcare.

Upon request, your doctor can provide you with an accurate and up-to-date summary of your care, such as when you are relocating and transitioning to a new healthcare provider. Feel free to ask your doctor for a summary of your care for any reason. If you request access to your full medical record or a summary, your doctor may need to redact any information provided by others on a confidential basis.

Your doctor must also consider the potential risk of physical or mental harm to you or others that could arise from disclosing your health information. While there are circumstances where access may be denied, you will be informed of the reasons if this occurs. In most cases, your doctor will gladly provide a thorough explanation of the health summary or medical record provided. Please note that a small but reasonable administration fee may be charged for such access, as well as the time spent with your doctor.

If you discover that the information in your record is inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated, our practice will take reasonable steps to rectify it. We may periodically ask you to confirm that your personal information held by our practice is correct and current. Additionally, you can request corrections or updates to your information by submitting written requests to our practice via email.

We do not recommend erasing information from your record, as this may lead to incomplete documentation.

POLICY REVIEW STATEMENT

This privacy policy undergoes regular review to ensure alignment with any changes that may arise. A copy of the most recent version of the privacy policy will always be accessible at the reception desk for your reference.

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Please write your details as they appear on your Medicare Card.
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Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander decent?
Sirona Women’s Health acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we work and pay our respects to Indigenous Elders past, present and emerging.
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Do you consent to Sirona Women’s Health sending you SMS reminders for your upcoming appointments/clinical reminders?
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Do you consent to Sirona Women’s Health contacting you via email?
I acknowledge that I have read and comprehend the practice privacy brochure (copy found on our website).
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