Is PCOS a Disability?

Is PCOS a Disability? PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a hormonal condition that causes a woman’s ovaries to produce too many eggs and too little estrogen.

As a result, excess male hormones called androgens build up in her body. The result is a woman’s body produces too many hair follicles, resulting in excessive hair growth, known as hirsutism.

PCOS can also cause infertility, irregular or absent periods, acne, excess facial and body hair, and weight problems. In the U.S., the prevalence of PCOS has increased from 5-10 percent of women in the 1980s to about 20 percent in recent years.

While there are several potential treatments for PCOS, the condition itself is not considered a disability.

However, many people with PCOS may be able to live more fulfilling and independent lives with the support of accommodations that enable them to fully participate in society.

What is a disability?

There are many misconceptions about what constitutes a disability.

While certain medical conditions and impairments can limit a person’s ability to work or go to school, it’s important to remember that being disabled does not mean someone is helpless.

Rather, people with disabilities have a variety of options and resources available to them, including accommodations in the workplace, education, transportation, or health care.

Additionally, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in employment, public facilities, transportation, and communications.

The ADA covers a wide range of medical conditions and impairments, including diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, and injuries resulting from birth defects or accidents.

It’s important to note, however, that not everyone with a medical condition qualifies as disabled. You can’t qualify for disability benefits if you can work if you choose to or earn enough money to support yourself and you choose to stay home.

What is the difference between a disability and a health condition?

People with disabilities are protected by the ADA regardless of the cause of their condition.

This means that an employer can’t ask someone with diabetes if they can work or make less pay because of the condition. However, a condition does not automatically make someone disabled.

You must meet all of the legal requirements for a disability to obtain benefits. A health condition, on the other hand, does not have to make you disabled. Whether you have a health condition or not may depend on your own circumstances and decisions.

For example, if you have asthma and choose to work, you may decide to use your own health care to control your asthmatic episode rather than risk losing your job or making your asthma worse.

Examples of PCOS-specific disabilities

Diagnosed with PCOS: You may be considered disabled if you have PCOS and are experiencing hair growth, excess facial or body hair, or acne due to the condition.

Diagnosed with PCOS and insulin-dependent: If you have insulin-dependent diabetes and are experiencing frequent or severe hypoglycemic episodes due to your PCOS, you may be considered disabled.

Diagnosed with PCOS and insulin-dependent and has a T1D child: If you have insulin-dependent diabetes and have a child who has Type 1 diabetes, you may be considered disabled.

PCOS and the law

In general, the ADA does not protect people with disabilities who are unable to participate fully in the workforce due to health conditions. However, the ADA does specifically protect people with medical conditions, including PCOS.

If you have PCOS and are not able to work because of your condition, you may be able to file a claim with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

The DOJ investigates discrimination in public accommodations, such as restaurants, hotels, stores, and government facilities. These facilities include restaurants, hotels, stores, and transportation, like public buses or trains.

You may also be able to file a complaint with the DOJ if you have been denied a job or fired due to your PCOS. If a company is found to have violated the ADA, it can be fined up to $150,000 per violation.

How to support people with PCOS as a non-disabled person

If you are a non-disabled friend or family member of someone with PCOS, here are some things you can do to help. Understand PCOS: The first step to helping someone with PCOS is understanding the condition.

People with PCOS can experience different symptoms and have different ways of coping with the condition. This may mean dealing with hirsutism differently than insulin-dependent diabetes. Find support groups:

Find support groups for people with PCOS and join them. Support groups can provide valuable social connections and opportunities to learn more about the condition and support groups, as well as opportunities to share experiences and build relationships that can help you cope with the condition and support others with PCOS. Speak with your doctor:

Before reaching out to your PCOS friend or family member, speak with your doctor and ask about PCOS and ways you can support yourself. This can help you feel more informed and confident when approaching your PCOS friend or family member.

Educate yourself: Next, educate yourself about PCOS and ways you can support your friend or family member. Share this information with your friend or family member so they can feel informed and supported.

Overcoming Barriers to Help People with PCOS as Non-Disabled Individuals

There are many challenges that people with PCOS face that may make it difficult for you to fully participate in society as an independent individual.

For example, you may have difficulty balancing work and family life, you may be uncomfortable asking for accommodations in the workplace, or you may have trouble finding health care providers who understand PCOS.

As you begin to become more familiar with the PCOS community and become more aware of the particular challenges you face due to your PCOS, you can begin to identify ways to overcome some of these barriers.

One way to help overcome workplace barriers is to start your job search early and apply to jobs that are outside of your field of expertise.

In addition, try to find a place where you can work remotely or take short-term assignments that don’t require you to be present in a centralized location.

Summary

Simply put, people with PCOS are disabled due to the medical condition itself.

You can qualify for disability benefits if you have PCOS and meet all the legal requirements, including having a health condition that has lasted at least 12 months and is expected to last at least 12 months more.

The key to receiving benefits is to file a claim as soon as possible after being diagnosed. To learn more about what it means to be disabled and the steps to take, visit the U.S. Department of Justice website.