By Stephanie Bastiaan
Victorian Liberal MP Nicole Werner has announced she and her husband Fraser are expecting their first baby after a lengthy struggle with infertility following a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis.
"It is a dream come true for us after facing hurdles in falling pregnant," The 33-year-old member for Warrandyte told the Legislative Council in a private members statement last week.
"Fertility challenges are the reality for over one in six Australian couples, yet it is often unspoken about, and for women, it can be both stigmatising and isolating.
"There are so many that suffer in silence, so I felt compelled to speak out and share our story to encourage those who are going through their own fertility journey," said Nicole.
Nicole first started taking hormonal contraception as a teenager to manage acne – a common symptom of PCOS. However, it was only five years ago that she suspected she may have had the condition due to her irregular cycles and excessive hair growth.
It wasn't until she came off the pill to start a family that she realised it was more severe than she realised.
After failing to fall pregnant and several months of negative ovulation tests, Nicole started to investigate. While blood tests were inconclusive, she received a formal diagnosis of PCOS after having an ultrasound.
A further six months passed and despite adjusting lifestyle and diet, each pregnancy test came back negative in what Nicole described as "shattering".
It was only after a fertility specialist prescribed Nicole Letrozole, a drug which lowers oestrogen in the body, that there was a breakthrough with her falling pregnant after three months.
Baby Werner is due in January!
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition with symptoms that include irregular menstrual cycles, excessive facial or body hair, acne and weight gain. It is caused by disproportionate levels of androgens, which interfere with the growth and release of eggs during ovulation. PCOS is the leading cause of infertility in women.
Despite affecting 1 in 10 Australian women, up to 70% of cases remain undiagnosed.
PCOS often develops during puberty with symptoms such as weight gain and acne present in adolescent females; however, it is difficult to diagnose for at least 2-3 years after menstruation begins due to the irregularity of the cycles. The symptoms are often treated with oral contraceptives, and so it is not until women come off birth control to start a family that the condition becomes apparent.
Rather than using birth control to mask the symptoms, there are alternative long-term treatments, including managing weight loss through diet and exercise. Even a 5-10% reduction in overall weight can assist in regulating menstrual cycles and improve fertility.
There is a lack of awareness in both patients and doctors when it comes to PCOS and managing it. Symptoms are often missed, and genuine treatments are then delayed.
Infertility is a devastating and crippling condition that many women face. Given the social and economic pressures driving women to have children later in life and later in their fertility cycle, there is an urgency to ensure that the conversation continues to ensure they can make informed decisions about their health.
Stephanie Bastiaan is Head of Advocacy at Women's Forum Australia.
Women’s Forum Australia is an independent think tank that undertakes research, education and public policy advocacy on issues affecting women and girls, with a particular focus on addressing behaviours and practices that are harmful and abusive to them. We are a non-partisan, non-religious, tax-deductible charity. We do not receive any government funding and rely solely on donations to make an impact. Support our work today.
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