*disclaimer* I am continuing to raise, but I will be running the London marathon as opposed to the Manchester.

I'm Chloé, I'm 23 years old and I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome back in 2020.

In 2018 one month my period never came, this lasted a year. I visited my GP 6 times to tell them about my concerns, 'Why has my period just disappeared? Is it something I'm doing wrong? Will it ever come back?' I was told not to worry, that 'this is normal' and sent home with no real answers. A random day in August the following year, I was out with some friends and got caught out .. my period was back. I was never given any real answers as to why this happened, but I was just happy that my body appeared to be working as normal again.

As time went on my cycles became irregular, extremely long, abnormal symptoms and the pain month to month was indescribable. 2020 lockdown began, as we all know getting a doctors appointment was more or less impossible. One day it all became too much, (what I now know was a ruptured cyst) the feeling was immediate. My body was shivering, I felt nauseous and extremely dizzy which led to my boyfriend at the time calling 111 for medical advice as this feeling seemed to last, what felt like forever. This is where the journey to my diagnosis all began, and it was a long one at that.

After countless appointments (phone calls) repeating and updating them with my symptoms I was given the go ahead for an internal and ultra sound scan. A week later I received results over the phone, she confirmed my diagnosis of PCOS after 18 cysts total were found between both ovaries. I was aware of the possibility after seeing my older sister go through the same process and receive the same diagnosis, I also took time to do my own research after receiving little to no help from professionals. But, it was still a very hard pill to swallow. I knew the implications this could have on my health for my lifetime due to there being no cure.

The next couple of years looked like : constant scans, procedures, blood tests, gynaecologist appointments, examinations ..

For a long time, I definitely let my PCOS win. As studies show women with PCOS "experience higher rates of depression and anxiety than women in the general population" (NIH) the changes happening to my body such as my hair loss, fluctuation of weight and inability to exercise like I used to took a real toll on my mental health. Unfortunately I didn't have any strong female relationships throughout this time, so I felt very alone with my thoughts.

As I sit here today, in the year of 2024. I want to share my story and show all my strong women out there who are either on a journey to their diagnosis, or managing their symptoms that you aren't alone and you're SEEN, HEARD and your voice matters. For a long time I allowed this condition to stop me from doing all the things I love. I let it take over my mind and I became someone I didn't recognise. I am running this marathon to show you that it doesn't need to change your life for the worst, 'you were given this life because you are strong enough to live it'.

Make sure you tell everyone that 'Your ovaries wear pearls darling'.