Our Story

Four years ago, I was diagnosed with PCOS. Since then, I’ve struggled to find reliable information and effective treatments. Through my journey, I discovered that 13% of women worldwide live with PCOS (according to the WHO), and yet nearly 70% of them remain undiagnosed.

I founded Cyst(HER) to challenge the status quo in women’s healthcare and create a space where women are heard, seen, and supported. It’s time to bring visibility, voice, and validation to the millions who have been overlooked for far too long.






Process





Cyst (Her)

Cyst(Her) is a movement and a support platform that empowers young women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) to navigate life with clarity. By integrating scientific understanding, global awareness, and community support, we are here to foster a caring, accessible, and sustainable space where they can thrive in every aspect of their lives.







The Patient Journey

I conducted extensive research and user studies to gain a deep understanding of the patient journey. My findings revealed a significant lack of support from the initial onset of symptoms through to the limited treatment options available. This gap is further exacerbated by insufficient medical, financial, and social support systems.





Frustrating Symptoms          

Confusing Search For Doctors      

Isolating Diagnosis Process    

Unempathetic and outdated 
treatment approach                    


Women with PCOS can experience a wide range of symptoms, which may vary in severity and not everyone will have all of them.

  • Irregular, infrequent, or absent menstrual periods
  • Excess hair growth on the face, chest, back, or abdomen (hirsutism)
  • Acne or oily skin
  • Thinning hair or hair loss from the scalp (sometimes male-pattern baldness)
  • Weight gain or difficulty losing weight, especially around the abdomen
  • Infertility or difficulty getting pregnant
  • Dark, velvety patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans)
  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Mood changes, depression, or anxiety
  • Sleep problems, including sleep apnea
  • Pelvic pain and sometimes heavy periods
Women with PCOS often face confusion about which provider to consult, frequently seeing multiple doctors and receiving inconsistent advice before getting a diagnosis. Barriers such as limited access to specialists, inadequate information, and contradictory recommendations further complicate their care journey.

Many women report consulting 3+ providers before receiving a diagnosis, with delays ranging from 2 months to 13 years. 

Women with PCOS are more likely to distrust PCPs, perceiving them as less qualified to address PCOS-specific concerns compared to general health issues. 

The process of getting tested for PCOS often involves multiple steps, including blood tests, pelvic exams, and ultrasounds, which can feel invasive or overwhelming for many women. 

The journey is sometimes lengthy, requiring visits to several healthcare professionals before a diagnosis is confirmed, and can leave patients feeling anxious and frustrated. 

Many women also report not receiving enough information or support during this process, adding to their emotional burden.Patients frequently receive inadequate explanations about PCOS’s long-term impacts (e.g., fertility, diabetes risk), leading them to seek unreliable online sources. 

Clinicians’ focus on isolated symptoms (e.g., prescribing birth control for irregular periods without addressing metabolic aspects) creates fragmented care.







The Design System

At Cyst (her), everything we do is grounded in three core pillars: Science, Awareness, and Support—or “SAS” (yes, pun is intended).

Our visual identity is designed to be clean, accessible, and purposeful. To reflect the complexity and interconnectedness of the patient journey, we developed a unique bracket system—a symbolic framework that brings structure and meaning to the brand. 

















Awareness Campaign

Our campaign shines a light on the everyday objects in a woman’s life, revealing the grief and struggle they come to represent when viewed through the lens of living with PCOS.





















The Platform

Our platform offers data-driven insights, a curated support directory, expert-backed studies, and scientific resources, all designed to honor the complexity of ovarian cysts.








Science

We’re publishing expert-written articles based on extensive research and peer-reviewed journals, aimed at making credible information accessible to our audience. 

Each article begins with five key takeaways—a quick summary of essential insights—designed to deliver clear, digestible content at a glance. For those who want to explore further, a simple click opens the full article, offering in-depth analysis and deeper understanding. 

We’re also highlighting leading organizations in the field and their research focuses, helping to raise awareness and empower our audience to explore new treatments and potential collaborations.











Awareness

In the Awareness section, we use engaging infographics to tackle some of the most common—and often unanswered—questions about PCOS. These visuals are designed to simplify complex information, making it easier for our audience to understand key facts and insights at a glance.








Support

As a starting measure of support, we are building a Physician’s Directory in the major cities around the world to highlight researchers, physicians, and experts in the field who are doing groundbreaking work.