Singapore entrepreneur, fashion icon, and social media star, Velda Tan, founder of fashion brand Collate The Label, recently announced her pregnancy on social media. Only, it wasn’t an ordinary announcement; the social media darling also revealed her long struggle with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), and how this pregnancy was nothing short of a miracle for her.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance. Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful but lead to hormone imbalances.
It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. If it isn’t treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. In fact, women with PCOS have a threefold increased risk of developing an endometrial cancer (cancer of the inner lining of the uterus).
Early diagnosis and treatment can help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems.
Velda writes on Instagram, “I found out I had PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) at my first proper gynae check 5 years ago, when Fred and I got married. This condition was a result of the stress of running my first business and my genetic make. Doc told me I had to be on medication if I wanted to conceive but I didn’t take it seriously then.”
Common symptoms of PCOS include:
- Acne
- Weight gain and trouble losing weight
- Extra hair on the face and body. Often women get thicker and darker facial hair and more hair on the chest, belly, and back.
- Thinning hair on the scalp.
- Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods. Others have very heavy bleeding.
- Fertility problems. Many women who have PCOS have trouble getting pregnant (infertility).
- Depression
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM / VELDA TAN
Velda reveals her own struggles, “Hormonal fluctuations, weight gain and infertility were the few byproducts of PCOS, and my condition was made worse when I had a spout of depression after I left the business. Things were pretty unstable at that time so Freddy and I put family planning on hold.”
Things got bad when she found that she wasn’t ovulating anymore, “We both went on to start new businesses, and though things were back to normal, the fast paced lifestyle took a toll on our couple time and my health.”
“Eventually we found out that I wasn’t ovulating anymore (i.e. my body stopped producing eggs for fertilisation and thus no chance of pregnancy). Over the next year I was put on horrible cycles of medication to stimulate egg growth, with no result, only more pain, more weight gain, and cycle after cycle of disappointment.”
“Things got pretty frustrating so again, we decided to put family planning on hold.”
She finally consulted a fertility doctor on her friend’s recommendation, and the rest, as they say, is history!
The happy mum-to-be reveals that she’s 3 months pregnant now, “It’s been so surreal yet incredibly amazing knowing there’s a little fig growing inside me, because my road to conceiving wasn’t quite a walk in the park.”
We are really happy for you, Velda. We are sure your story will give hope to many women out there, who have had trouble conceiving because of PCOS. Here’s wishing you a safe, hassle free pregnancy, and joyous motherhood ahead!
Also READ: Melody Chen reveals that she is expecting twins!
(Source: WebMD)
