In recent years, social media platforms have become inundated with influencers espousing cures for various health conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). With an estimated 8-13% of women affected, the lack of straightforward medical solutions has made PCOS a prime target for those seeking to exploit the vulnerable. One such influencer, Kourtney Simmang, has marketed unproven tests and costly supplements, claiming to tackle the “root cause” of this complicated hormonal disorder—a concept not yet understood by medical researchers.
For women like Sophie, who battled painful menstrual cycles, weight fluctuations, and fatigue, it often seems that traditional medical help is out of reach. Desperate for relief after years of inadequate treatment, Sophie turned to Kourtney’s program, investing over $3,600 in a supposed “health protocol” and additional supplements. Despite her eagerness to find a solution, Sophie found no improvement in her symptoms after nearly a year and reported feeling worse about her body image.
Health experts like Dr. Jen Gunter, a respected gynecologist, criticize these influencers for their lack of medical qualifications and the potentially harmful advice they offer online—often misleading their followers about the nature of PCOS and suggesting that drastic dietary restrictions, like the keto diet, could serve as a cure. Many claims made by these influencers lack scientific backing, including the erroneous idea that birth control medications exacerbate PCOS symptoms, a notion that can deter women from seeking effective treatments.
The peer-reviewed evidence suggests that birth control can be beneficial for many suffering from PCOS, contrary to the narrative influenced by unqualified commentators. As the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 70% of women with PCOS have never received a proper diagnosis, the gap in credible medical resources opens an opportunity for misinformation to spread, creating confusion and complicating treatment paths.
A BBC investigation identified numerous influencers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram who perpetuate dangerous ideas concerning PCOS treatment. For instance, Tallene Hacatoryan, a registered dietician with over two million followers, offers supplements while promoting a lifestyle focused on eliminating gluten and dairy, despite a lack of substantial evidence linking these dietary restrictions to symptom improvement. Followers of such advice often report adverse effects from diets that are unsuitable for their conditions and end up feeling like failures for not achieving the prescribed results.
Medlyn, a medical student in Nigeria, stands in stark contrast to the influencers. She advocates for the importance of consulting qualified healthcare professionals and stresses the need to embrace evidence-based approaches to managing PCOS, further underlining the contrast between proper medical guidance and misinformation from social media.
Experts agree that effective management of PCOS is possible with the right support. Sasha Ottey from the US-based charity PCOS Challenge emphasizes that medical care allows women with the condition to have children—a common concern for those diagnosed.
The complexities surrounding PCOS, coupled with the misinformation proliferated on social media, underscore the necessity of increasing awareness and encouraging women to seek out qualified medical specialists who can offer informed care and advice tailored to their individual needs. In Sophie’s case, her journey continues as she and her medical team explore viable treatment options—an example of the importance of credible health information in navigating such chronic conditions.
For women like Sophie, who battled painful menstrual cycles, weight fluctuations, and fatigue, it often seems that traditional medical help is out of reach. Desperate for relief after years of inadequate treatment, Sophie turned to Kourtney’s program, investing over $3,600 in a supposed “health protocol” and additional supplements. Despite her eagerness to find a solution, Sophie found no improvement in her symptoms after nearly a year and reported feeling worse about her body image.
Health experts like Dr. Jen Gunter, a respected gynecologist, criticize these influencers for their lack of medical qualifications and the potentially harmful advice they offer online—often misleading their followers about the nature of PCOS and suggesting that drastic dietary restrictions, like the keto diet, could serve as a cure. Many claims made by these influencers lack scientific backing, including the erroneous idea that birth control medications exacerbate PCOS symptoms, a notion that can deter women from seeking effective treatments.
The peer-reviewed evidence suggests that birth control can be beneficial for many suffering from PCOS, contrary to the narrative influenced by unqualified commentators. As the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that up to 70% of women with PCOS have never received a proper diagnosis, the gap in credible medical resources opens an opportunity for misinformation to spread, creating confusion and complicating treatment paths.
A BBC investigation identified numerous influencers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram who perpetuate dangerous ideas concerning PCOS treatment. For instance, Tallene Hacatoryan, a registered dietician with over two million followers, offers supplements while promoting a lifestyle focused on eliminating gluten and dairy, despite a lack of substantial evidence linking these dietary restrictions to symptom improvement. Followers of such advice often report adverse effects from diets that are unsuitable for their conditions and end up feeling like failures for not achieving the prescribed results.
Medlyn, a medical student in Nigeria, stands in stark contrast to the influencers. She advocates for the importance of consulting qualified healthcare professionals and stresses the need to embrace evidence-based approaches to managing PCOS, further underlining the contrast between proper medical guidance and misinformation from social media.
Experts agree that effective management of PCOS is possible with the right support. Sasha Ottey from the US-based charity PCOS Challenge emphasizes that medical care allows women with the condition to have children—a common concern for those diagnosed.
The complexities surrounding PCOS, coupled with the misinformation proliferated on social media, underscore the necessity of increasing awareness and encouraging women to seek out qualified medical specialists who can offer informed care and advice tailored to their individual needs. In Sophie’s case, her journey continues as she and her medical team explore viable treatment options—an example of the importance of credible health information in navigating such chronic conditions.
