In the next Navhind Times ‘‘Talk from the Heart’’ series, Sabreena Shah shares her story about living with Polycystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOD). From physical changes to emotional and mental upheaval, she tells it all. NT in conversation with the Body positivity campaigner
Maria Fernandes | NT
So who is Sabreena Shah?
When Sabreena Shah first started to notice hair growing on her face, chest, arms and lower abdomen she was 17-years-old. From here commenced the constant cycle of bleaching, waxing, and threading. But more than 10 years on, the 27-year-old has literally ditched the temporary solutions and now embraces her body hair as part of herself. Here’s all you need to know about her.
Originally from North India, Shah has been living in Goa for the last two years. With a Masters degree in Human Resources, she is working with a Philippines-based company that is constructing the international airport in Mopa. Living with Polycystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOD) from the time she was a teenager, today she is a campaigner for Body Positivity.
The beginning
It all began, she says, with symptoms like irregular periods, stress, mood swings, and anxiety attacks. After several visits to doctors with regular blood tests and ultrasounds, she was diagnosed with PCOD. “I was worried because it sounded serious and something I had never heard of, none of my friends or cousins had it. In those days there was considerably less information about the condition and the doctors assured me that I would be fine. I believed the doctors and the medicines they prescribed,” she says.
Her parents too had a tough time coming to terms with the condition. “My parents had never heard of this condition, but they were hoping that the medication that I was taking would make it all go away,” she says. The medicines were not just many but would change every few months. “The doctors would constantly change my medication in the hope of curing my condition, but the symptoms would subside during the course of the treatment and once I stopped with them, it would start anew,” she says.
What is PCOD/PCOS?
PCOS/PCOD is commonly known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome wherein ‘‘Poly’’ means ‘‘many’’. It is a hormonal disorder common among women once they hit puberty. The ovaries may develop small collection of fluid (follicles) known as cysts and therefore ovaries fail to release eggs which results in a delayed or no menstrual cycle along with hormonal imbalance. Today one out of every five girls is suffering from PCOS and each case is different from the other. Some women may just have cystic ovaries and there may be no signs of hormonal imbalance while others suffer from both which is called PCOD (polycystic ovarian disease).
Symptoms:
The symptoms for PCOS differ from person to person. It affects women of all ages mostly the age group of 14 – 38 years. Some of the common and initial symptoms are- delayed or no periods, weight gain, acne, mood swings, male pattern hair growth mostly on face, chest, abdomen and back (this condition is called hirsutism), hair loss from scalp (alopecia), anxiety, depression, low self-esteem. In later stages, when PCOS/PCOD gets out of control, women face the following health problems:
l Thyroid
l Diabetes
l Male voice
l High blood pressure
l Heart disease
l Cancer in uterus
“People often think that PCOD interferes with pregnancy but that is not true because women and their bodies react differently to this problem and everybody does not go through infertility with PCOD, but women experience hirsutism (male pattern beard/hair), weight gain, regular/irregular periods, mood swings, etc,” adds Shah.
“Although I am not a doctor but as per my personal research, interaction with people going through the same problem and studies, PCOS is more critical, wherein more than 12 follicles are produced every month and infertility chances are slightly higher. In this case, testosterone levels are much higher, and women experience male pattern baldness besides all other symptoms,” she says.
Most times people use PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and PCOD (polycystic ovarian diseases) interchangeably. “This is because both the conditions are associated with ovaries and hormones, and show similar symptoms,” she says. While people usually think that both PCOS and PCOD are the same because the symptoms are similar and are caused due to hormonal imbalances, they are actually slightly different. A woman suffering from PCOD might not have the same problems as the one suffering from PCOS.
Sadly, there is no cure for PCOS/PCOD till date. “Doctors prescribe the same medicines as metformin and birth control pills repeatedly. That does help with reducing the symptoms, but the root cause of this disease remains there inside our bodies,” she says.
The journey
After being diagnosed with PCOD, Shah had to contend with various problems, physical as well as others. “I started gaining weight and my periods were irregular and eventually I started having this thick black hair on my chin, upper lips, sideburns, chest, and lower abdomen. Soon people started noticing my facial hair,” she shares.
Seeing a woman with facial hair is not a common sight and besides the curious looks, she also had to put up with the ridicule. “It wasn’t easy, and it still isn’’t but I have accepted it and am learning to live with it. Few people understand, mostly my friends and colleagues, and are empathetic. But most people make fun of it and are simply awful. Few even become judgmental and some even go as far as to giving me hair removal advice. Others tell me to visit a salon and act like a girl,” she says.
Recounting how her family too had difficulty accepting her condition, she shares: “There was this one time when I was sporting my beard and I visited my family, the moment they saw me, they were shocked and sad at the same time. Even though they don’’t support my decision of keeping a beard, they pray and hope that I come out of this problem.”
Research shows experiencing the symptoms of PCOS, including excess hair growth, hair loss, acne, weight changes and fertility problems, can negatively affect mood, self–confidence, and body image. “I became emotionally very weak. I used to be depressed all the time and would cry myself to sleep and wake up crying. My social life and work got affected very badly. I used to get suicidal thoughts in my head and felt like there was no purpose for me. There was no one I could speak with and all this further led to deterioration in my physical appearance,” admits Shah.
The change
Today Shah is a confident young woman who has not just accepted her condition but is a campaigner for Body Positivity. She believes the anti-depressants and the PCOD medication along with her determination to live a full life has brought in the change. “The love of my parents and unwavering understanding, encouragement and support of my friend Hari has also helped me tremendously. Even if they are a small number of people who support me, it gives me a ray of hope that we can change the mentality of our society and people around us. Our contribution may be little but it matters,” she says.
Hari, she further adds made a video of her which he uploaded on YouTube that has brought in a lot of positive feedback. “Many women nationally and internationally suffering with PCOS have approached me after that video. Not just that, even a few men have appreciated it and said it was an eye-opener,” she says. “It’’s amazing how human beings flourish when we are allowed to simply be our authentic selves.” Far from hiding herself away, she now has a social media feed filled with new friends and followers. She speaks with evangelical zeal about her determination not only to succeed in life, but to take other people with her.
Her aim in having the talk for Navhind Times, she says, is to create awareness. “I want to reach out to parents whose daughters are suffering from the same disease and educate them. I want to reach out to the women/ girls of our country and tell them they are not alone, I am with them. I have seen women hiding PCOS as if it is some sin. I want them to come out and be vocal about it. It maybe a taboo but we can break it together.”
(If you would like to join the talk with Sabreena on Sunday, September 15, log on to navhindtimes.in/events and fill in the form. Last date to apply is September 9.)
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The new menu at Fortune Miramar will leave you spoilt for choice with fascinating options from cuisines around the world SHERYL GONSALVES | NT It was a day when the sun struggled to shine through the clouds. The rain beat down against my helmet and didn’t show any signs of letting up. However, even though there were partially waterlogged roads and traffic jams, there was one thing that kept me going – I was invited to try out the new menu at Fortune Miramar curated by executive chef William Dias. The new menu themed ‘Savour’ took two months to curate. Entering the Orchid restaurant in the hotel was a sight for sore eyes. The classy bright interiors were a welcoming visual contrast against the gloomy skies. My colleagues and I enjoyed the colourful mocktails brought to our table and then started digging into the Mezze Platter which had a variety of different dips like Muhammara, Hummus, Tzatziki, Olive Tapenade, Cauliflower Tartar, and Fatoush Salad. They were perfect flavour bombs with spicy and creamy notes. The crispy pita bread elevated the eating experience by providing texture. Mezze Platter We then had Malai Broccoli which was marinated in cashew cream, yoghurt, and […]
The marigold man of Goa
With a deep understanding of agriculture and a desire to bring locally grown marigold flowers to the Goan community, Amona-based farmer Krishna Sinari has embarked on the high-tech venture of marigold farming. RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT Inspired by the need for locally grown marigold flowers, Krishna Sinari, the owner of Prakriti Farm Products, has started a high-tech venture of marigold farming in a 3,000-square-meter plot. With a total of 5,000 plants, his farm boasts vibrant yellow and orange marigold flowers. The inspiration behind choosing marigold flowers as the primary crop stems, he says, is that even though Goa has a suitable environment for its growth, a majority of the flowers are brought in from other places. “Marigolds are essential for Diwali celebrations. So I chose to start my own marigold production to meet the local demand,” says Sinari, who holds a diploma in agriculture and has done various courses to enhance his knowledge in the field. Currently enjoying his first marigold harvest, the next crop of flowers will be during Diwali and later for Tulsi Vivah. After that, he will move on to the next crop. Sinari has previously cultivated hybrid chillies and lady fingers and plans to explore other […]
Goa-based musician ‘Discokid’ to perform at Serendipity Arts Festival 2023
Among the eight exceptional music artists handpicked for the B-side Music Production Residency programme, ‘Discokid’, a Goa-based musician will be performing at the Serendipity Arts Festival 2023. The 11-day workshop concluded in Olaulim recently and was organised by the Serendipity Arts Foundation. The eight artists namely Dzerouengmit Lepcha, Fatima Hakeen (Discokid), Lenix Lobo, Hasan Shahrukh, Govi, Ashel Unger, Rushaki Ghosh and Medhaj Dempo, delved deep into the intricacies of music production using Ableton Live, a digital audio workstation during the residency, which formally culminated on October 20. The residency was mentored by industry experts, including Jay Pei, Megha Balani, SHFT and Puneesh Suri. Fatima Hakeen aka ‘Discokid’ is a musician and producer based out of Goa and has been featured in well-known online music shows like Mixmag Goa and Worldwide FM. Over the eleven-day intensive program, the participants explored a myriad of techniques, from working with audio clips and MIDI basics to advanced production methods, honing their skills and collectively broadening their creative horizons. “Each participant brings a unique flavour to the table: from Dzerouengmit Lepcha’s soulful melodies to Discokid’s groovy beats, Lenix Lobo’s experimental sounds and Govi’s fusion of Carnatic vocals with indie and alternative genres. Hasan Shahrukh, with his expertise in […]
Glow of Epiphyllum – Brahma Kamal flowers of Goa
Recently, I came across a news story about a record-breaking bloom of 28 Brahma Kamal flowers in Goa. The spectacular sight of its prolific blossoms in the video took me on a trip down memory lane. We, too, had this beautiful plant in our garden, lovingly tended by my grandmother. Commonly referred to as ‘Bramhakamal’ in Goa and likely across the country, this plant is scientifically known as Epiphyllum Oxypetalum. Belonging to the Cactaceae family, it is an exotic plant native to the rainforests of Central and South America. Interestingly, it has no botanical connection to the true Bramhakamal species, scientifically named Saussurea obvallata, which is found and revered in Uttarakhand and the Himalayan regions. The slight resemblance between Epiphyllum Oxypetalum and the original Bramhakamal may explain the confusion between the two. Also known as the Dutchman’s Pipe Cactus or Queen of the Night, this flower truly lives up to its regal title. In our garden, this plant held a special place in my heart. Its slightly puffed, elongated leaves distinguished it from the other greenery. The celestial blooms appeared rarely, usually between July and September. One of the most unique aspects of this flower is how it unfurls its […]
Festa do Povo: Festival to Showcase Goan Heritage, Food, & Culture
The well-known community festival, Festa do Povo, returns to Panaji again, to promote Goan culture and heritage. The festival is coordinated through community involvement, with assistance from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and Imagine Panaji, along the pedestrian walkway lined with mangroves at Patto Plaza near the Spaces building. Residents from various wards in the city, who reside in heritage homes and blocks, participate in the festival’s planning. What food can you expect here? It ranges from Goan-Portuguese to Hindu Saraswat to Muslim dishes, cooked by local home chefs, Panaji restaurants, and even international chefs. The food section of the festival showcases Goa’s rich culinary diversity across various religious communities. Additionally, a special Feni bar and beverage station featuring local drinks will enhance the festive atmosphere. Day one (December 14) will feature traditional Shigmo dances and children’s craft activities curated by Bookworm, a -book store for children. Participants can enjoy a variety of performances, including the Kaustubha Ballet, the beloved Stuti Choir, the traditional dekhni dance, and enchanting melodies by the Sound of Music. On the second day, December 15, there will be brass band performances, percussion displays, and carol singing by students from Nirmala School. This […]
