Interview with Nabby Kaur, filmed by Jess Farran, interviewed and edited by Teresa Johnson
Nabjot Kaur, she/her, 28, was diagnosed with PCOS, also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome when she was 25, and ovarian cysts, when she was 26.
SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OF PCOS INCLUDEIrregular menstrual cycle. Women with PCOS may miss periods or have fewer periods (fewer than eight in a year). Or, their periods may come every 21 days or more often. Some women with PCOS stop having menstrual periods.
Excess hair on the face, chin, or parts of the body where men usually have hair.
Acne on the face, chest, and upper back
Thinning hair or hair loss on the scalp; male-pattern baldness
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Darkening of skin, particularly along neck creases, in the groin, and underneath breasts
Skin tags, which are small excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
"I went to my primary doctor, and she realized I was having hair growth on my chest and on my chin, a little bit on my upper lip, and the acne that wasn't stopping, and she wanted to get my hormones checked."
Collage created in collaboration with Alia Knowlan
She found out that her testosterone levels were higher, and had to see an endocrinologist, where they ran more hormone and blood tests. She soon discovered she had PCOS.
"I felt weird, because having more hair runs in my family. Indians are hairy! The women in my family had hair, but I had slightly more. So it was relieving to know that's what it was. I think the scary part was that I might develop diabetes in the future if I don't maintain a good diet and cut out carbs at night, to avoid spiking my insulin levels. But other than that, they told me I wouldn't have the other major problems that come with PCOS."
"It felt like a knife was running through my lower stomach."
She found out about her ovarian cyst in 2019, after having excruciating pain a few months apart, days after her period ended.
‘Pinned Tomato’ food symbolism art created and shot by Teresa Johnson