Kendall Soucie, an associate professor at the University of Windsor, has spoken with many people suffering with polycystic ovarian syndrome. She explains that in Canada, it can take anywhere from 5 to 15 years for a diagnosis. She tells us why studying the lived experiences of people with PCOS is an integral part to the research of this poorly-understood condition. Nam Kiwanuka speaks with Kendall about her hopes and how her own lived experience with it informs her work.

Got a question or comment? Email us at: mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health

Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.

The Government of Ontario's Mental Health Support Resources: https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support

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Research links

Canadian PCOS Resource List: https://www.healuwindsor.com/copy-of-canadian-pcos-resources 

Monash University:  PCOS Guideline and Resources - Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI) 

PCOS Challenge: PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association 

The Season's collective (Ontario-specific): The Seasons Collective | Thriving with PCOS  

PCOS together: (Alberta): Home - PCOS.Together 

H.E.A.L Lab: https://www.healuwindsor.com 

Name change for ‘outdated’ PCOS term backed by majority of health professionals, patients: https://www.healio.com/news/womens-health-ob-gyn/20250606/name-change-for-outdated-pcos-term-backed-by-majority-of-health-professionals-patients 

The under-researched and often misunderstood disorder that affects 1 in 8 women: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/pcos-symptoms-name-change-meaning-b2759872.html 

The Diagnostic Experiences of Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Ontario, Canada: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33213256/ 

“It Wasn’t Until I Took the Reins and Said….” Power and Advocacy in Canadian Women’s Narratives of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23293691.2022.2054671 

Kendall Soucie, an associate professor at the University of Windsor, has spoken with many people suffering with polycystic ovarian syndrome. She explains that in Canada, it can take anywhere from 5 to 15 years for a diagnosis. She tells us why studying the lived experiences of people with PCOS is an integral part to the research of this poorly-understood condition. Nam Kiwanuka speaks with Kendall about her hopes and how her own lived experience with it informs her work.
Got a question or comment? Email us at: <a href="mailto:mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org">mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org</a>
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health
Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.
The Government of Ontario's Mental Health Support Resources: <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support">https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support</a>
Follow TVO on social: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/theagenda">https://www.youtube.com/theagenda</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo">https://www.instagram.com/mistreatedtvo</a>
Join our newsletter: <a href="https://www.tvo.org/newsletters">https://www.tvo.org/newsletters</a>
Visit the TVO Today website for current affairs journalism, documentaries and podcasts: <a href="https://www.tvo.org">https://www.tvo.org</a>
Research links
Canadian PCOS Resource List: <a href="https://www.healuwindsor.com/copy-of-canadian-pcos-resources">https://www.healuwindsor.com/copy-of-canadian-pcos-resources</a>&nbsp;
Monash University:&nbsp; <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.monash.edu%2Fmedicine%2Fmchri%2Fpcos&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cmomara%40tvo.org%7C8069443734ab4b339eb208de1745f1b6%7C2eadfde0e18641eb8f621e033d56dcbe%7C0%7C0%7C638973786373651414%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=jgF1b%2FpbfhBJt84HOH8CM0GWag7dJLeXCqut28LNepA%3D&amp;reserved=0">PCOS Guideline and Resources - Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI)</a>&nbsp;
PCOS Challenge: <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpcoschallenge.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cmomara%40tvo.org%7C8069443734ab4b339eb208de1745f1b6%7C2eadfde0e18641eb8f621e033d56dcbe%7C0%7C0%7C638973786373663753%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=JoJUSG%2BhXJz3OT5E%2F5Qh61hJVMDf8WD7FW3Sp9%2B%2BNR8%3D&amp;reserved=0">PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association</a>&nbsp;
The Season's collective (Ontario-specific): <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theseasonscollective.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cmomara%40tvo.org%7C8069443734ab4b339eb208de1745f1b6%7C2eadfde0e18641eb8f621e033d56dcbe%7C0%7C0%7C638973786373676398%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=fIeuVspQDjNupn7GDTXaxQRJ8ldU1D13dN8vQBbRrBs%3D&amp;reserved=0">The Seasons Collective | Thriving with PCOS</a> &nbsp;
PCOS together: (Alberta): <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpcos.together.ualberta.ca%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cmomara%40tvo.org%7C8069443734ab4b339eb208de1745f1b6%7C2eadfde0e18641eb8f621e033d56dcbe%7C0%7C0%7C638973786373688082%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=m0oX4fRFZiBVTF29vZnR4R%2BoTjg1ARoQpns8jYveBXE%3D&amp;reserved=0">Home - PCOS.Together</a>&nbsp;
H.E.A.L Lab: https://www.healuwindsor.com&nbsp;
Name change for &lsquo;outdated&rsquo; PCOS term backed by majority of health professionals, patients: <a href="https://www.healio.com/news/womens-health-ob-gyn/20250606/name-change-for-outdated-pcos-term-backed-by-majority-of-health-professionals-patients">https://www.healio.com/news/womens-health-ob-gyn/20250606/name-change-for-outdated-pcos-term-backed-by-majority-of-health-professionals-patients</a>&nbsp;
The under-researched and often misunderstood disorder that affects 1 in 8 women: <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/pcos-symptoms-name-change-meaning-b2759872.html">https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/pcos-symptoms-name-change-meaning-b2759872.html</a>&nbsp;
The Diagnostic Experiences of Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Ontario, Canada: <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33213256/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33213256/</a>&nbsp;
&ldquo;It Wasn&rsquo;t Until I Took the Reins and Said&hellip;.&rdquo; Power and Advocacy in Canadian Women&rsquo;s Narratives of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Diagnosis and Treatment: <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23293691.2022.2054671">https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23293691.2022.2054671</a>&nbsp;

(MIS)Treated, a TVO podcast, explores how medicine has – and still is – failing women and speaks to the people looking to make a difference. Join host Nam Kiwanuka to hear real life stories and expert interviews on how the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of women affects us all.

(MIS)Treated, a TVO podcast, explores how medicine has &ndash; and still is &ndash; failing women and speaks to the people looking to make a difference. Join host Nam Kiwanuka to hear real life stories and expert interviews on how the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of women affects us all.

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