Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinological disorder affecting
women of reproductive age, affecting 8–13% in this group. Women with PCOS are more
likely to have excess BMI, which in turn exacerbates the symptoms of PCOS in these
women. The latest evidence-based guideline recommends lifestyle management as the
first-line treatment for PCOS. However, the implementation of this recommendation
through health services faces a significant challenge. As part of the mapping of the
implementation plan for lifestyle management in PCOS, citizen panels and semi-structured
interviews were conducted to capture the voices of consumers. Women with PCOS expressed
the need for multidisciplinary, integrated care as a recurrent theme. Other important
considerations included health professionals who listen and are open to learning about
PCOS, the empowerment of women to self-manage PCOS and the provision of peer support.
Women with PCOS also expressed the key recommendation of focusing on practical skills
when providing lifestyle advice. Within that, both individual and group lifestyle
sessions were valued for privacy and peer support respectively and delivery by a dietitian
is preferred. These recommendations by women with PCOS should be considered when developing
the implementation plan for the PCOS lifestyle guideline.
Keywords
polycystic - women - lifestyle - guidelines - implementation
