Unwanted hair growth , mood swings, acne, weight gain or difficulty losing weight , and irregular or absent periods are all signs that someone is going through puberty .

But for one in eight women globally – for Indigenous Australian women , that increases to one in six – these are only some of the symptoms that follow them well into adulthood, costing them time, money, work, relationships, and their sanity.

They are hallmarks of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a complex hormonal condition that can mimic other conditions, increase the risk of developing further health problems, including endometrial cancer and diabetes, and delayed diagnosis could hinder their chance to grow their family .

Much about the endocrine disorder and its broad spectrum of symptoms is a mystery

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