Join the cysterhood: Uncovering a blind spot in women's health | Taylor Keller | TEDxUGA

In her talk, Taylor 'Tot' Keller illuminates the barriers to diagnosis that commonly affect individuals with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS. Taylor 'Tot' Keller recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and a certificate in New Media from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. After years of struggling with her health, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), an under-researched disorder that is a leading cause of hormonal issues in women. Taylor ‘Tot’ Keller is a fourth-year undergraduate studying Advertising and pursuing the New Media certificate in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. After years of struggling with her health, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of hormonal issues in women. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@emilyszoke4276]

THIS IS EVERYTHING! You captured the pain, waiting, searching, questioning aspects of PCOS SPOT ON! I don't think us cysters should be the ones educating our doctors on what we learned from our online community. TIME FOR STUDIES!

[@movementhour]

I'm not Crying, I'm not crying. Thank you for sharing this beautiful, educational and eye-opening talk 💜

[@AKuhimitsu]

I'm part of the online PCOS community and I've heard so many women mention that it's hard to get a diagnosis. Also, thanks for uploading this video. I am using this video to help with my school presentation on PCOS!

[@mateeah]

This brought me to tears. I relate so much to her experience going undiagnosed - for me it took 10+ years!

[@ShireenSchwartz]

Wow! Way to go Tot. Awesome job on the subject of PCOS. I never knew about the Cysterhood!

[@maciemarshall4642]

Just got diagnosed last month at 21 years old. After my 16 yo sister. Because she has it more severe and my mom never listened to me and I decided to look for myself. I’m shattered. I’m so glad I know why I can’t lose weight and deal with horrendous symptoms. But on the other hand I feel it’s a burden I’ll beat for the rest of my life. I try to meal prep, go to the gym nearly every day, take supplements, even more the diagnosis so I’m doing the right thing,,, but I’m just bawling, all the time. I’m so fkn sad.

[@AManAndHisCheese]

So well spoken on such an important issue. This is just the start Tot!!

[@deborahg2149]

thank you!

[@lauraallen8764]

The truth that needed to be shared!!

[@TylerSPhilie]

GO TOT

[@rachelwesterman1223]

Im in the UK so we dont see gynaecologists unless we are ill. Took me until I was 40 to get diagnosed.

[@user-kg8py3in1y]

From where do we have to join cysterhood ???

[@Justleandjesus]

I’m struggling with maintaining my PCOS and a job that doesn’t have my entire body hurting. Mixed with my asthma, it’s so hard. I’m so ready to give up. Does anyone have job recs?

[@audreymicheal2424]

I suffered from pcos close to 3years with so much pain ..all thanks to Dr Ehimare who came to the rescue with his herbs medication.

[@tyshields1074]

Sadly enough, there is a gender disparity when it comes to treating and knowing about women’s bodies versus male’s. My argument will discuss the importance of diagnosing Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome correctly and will be also arguing the importance of knowing about and recognizing the gender disparity when it comes to knowledge and correct treatment for women’s bodies. For centuries, women have been mistreated, overlooked, and discriminated against and unfortunately in health care this shows up as there is less knowledge and correct care for women’s issues. I’ve personally seen this overlooked in family members. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a severe condition that causes many painful, tragic, and concerning symptoms. Because of the hormonal imbalances, hair growth, possibly infertility, weight gain, and irregular periods, this issue must be handled with the utmost care, empathy, and sensitivity possible. Firstly, the importance of knowing about and diagnosing women correctly cannot be overstated. Like many diagnoses that women struggle with, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is often misunderstood which leads to delayed treatment for women struggling with this disorder. This is a sad truth as so often women who struggle with this are not treated correctly and are forced to put off having children due to the hormonal struggles they face and the difficulty of the ability to get pregnant with incorrect treatments and diagnosises. With a misunderstanding or incorrect diagnosing of a patient this could lead to them being on incorrect medications or endure unnecessary surgeries which could lead to many complications and negative consequences to their health. This video alone highlights that yes Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is often misdiagnosed, but it highlights the sad truth that there is a real problem going on here which is the disparity between women health care treatments versus men. The hope from this argumentative comment will have on individuals, especially physicians, is for women to stop being overlooked, discriminated against, and not taken seriously for their condition no matter how small. Secondly, in order to combat this disparity among women, is more education of women’s issues which would include increased research among the issues that women face. Above all, we health care professionals should have required sensitivity and competence training on women’s advocacy in the mental health realm so that this can cease to be a problem. May we all do our part to increase our training, education, research, and sensitivity when it comes to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and other women’s issues that are so often misunderstood. May we be apart of women getting the help they deserve and cease discrimination and minimization of their suffering.

[@katalicalipha9635]

Low l Ok q