Background
In 2008, POSAA, in conjunction with Professor Helen Teede of the Jean Hailes for Women's Health, and Professor Rob Norman, Director of The Robinson Institute, was instrumental in the formation of the PCOS Australian Alliance.
The PCOS Australian Alliance was formed to provide a single voice for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and has the agreed vision to improve the lives of Australian women with PCOS through education, research and evidence based health care.
After extensive lobbying by POSAA and the PCOS Australian Alliance, in July 2009, the Australian Government provided substantial funding for the PCOS Australian Alliance. This funding, over three years, is to provide education, facilitate research and optimise evidence-based health care relating to PCOS.
The formation of the PCOS Australian Alliance and the provision of funding by the Australian Government is a major advancement in recognition of PCOS.
The need for diagnostic guidelines
Australian research1 shows:
- 89% of women with PCOS saw more than one health professional before their diagnosis.
- 49% took greater than six months to have a diagnosis confirmed.
- 41% were very dissatisfied with the manner in which they were informed of their diagnosis.
Two thirds of women diagnosed were not given educational resources at the time of their diagnosis. Furthermore, little information is given about lifestyle management or complications of PCOS even though 57% of women were confident their lifestyle management will improve their condition.
As such the first task for the PCOS Australian Alliance was to develop, not only national-first, but world-first guidelines for the diagnosis and care of women with PCOS.
Evidence-based guideline
In August 2011, The Evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome was released.
The Guideline provides thirty-eight recommendations addressing four key areas:
- challenges of assessment and diagnosis
- assessment of emotional wellbeing
- lifestyle management
- fertility
Importantly, the Guideline addresses the long-term complications of PCOS including increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression and anxiety.
As a result of the new Guideline Australian women suffering from PCOS will benefit from more effective diagnosis and treatment.
Further reading
