Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of women worldwide, including Sarah Afolabi-Olagoke, founder of Tersly Foods. As someone who has battled this complex hormonal disorder, Sarah’s personal experience with missed periods, recurrent miscarriages, and emotional struggles shaped her mission to support other women through nutrition and community.

Understanding the Challenges of PCOS

PCOS is more than just a reproductive issue—it affects overall health. Women like Sarah face insulin resistance, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. These physical and emotional struggles can be isolating, but Sarah found a way to manage her symptoms through lifestyle changes, particularly focusing on nutrition.

“I realized that by embracing a healthier lifestyle, I could significantly improve my condition,” Sarah explains. “This inspired me to change the direction of Tersly Foods, aiming to provide nutrient-dense products that not only benefit families but specifically help women like me manage PCOS.”

Tersly Foods: Nutrition as a Solution

Through Tersly Foods, Sarah has developed a range of products such as oat flour, rice flour, beans-based products, and gluten-free snacks. These products are carefully curated to help balance hormones, stabilize blood sugar levels, and promote overall health. Nutrition plays a crucial role in managing PCOS symptoms, and Sarah’s goal is to empower women to take control of their health through informed dietary choices.

Beyond product offerings, Sarah founded the Bloom with PCOS support group—a community where women share their experiences, receive encouragement, and learn about medical and lifestyle strategies for managing PCOS. As part of this mission, the Bloom App will soon launch, offering digital resources and virtual consultations to support women in managing their symptoms while maintaining privacy.

Navigating the Healthcare Challenges in Nigeria

For many women in Nigeria, access to proper PCOS diagnosis and treatment remains challenging. Many healthcare providers lack training in identifying PCOS symptoms, leading to delayed or ineffective treatment plans. Sarah recalls her own frustrations navigating Nigeria’s healthcare system, which fueled her decision to take control of her health through nutrition and lifestyle changes.

“I realized that women are often not fully informed about how PCOS impacts their health beyond fertility. The condition affects everything from metabolism to mental health,” Sarah says. This gap in understanding is why she is so passionate about creating awareness and providing community support through initiatives like Bloom with PCOS.

Beyond Fertility: The Broader Impact of PCOS

While fertility struggles are often the focus when discussing PCOS, the condition’s effects go far beyond reproductive health. Women with PCOS are at higher risk of developing serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety, are also prevalent due to the emotional strain and social stigma associated with PCOS.

Sarah believes in the power of lifestyle changes—proper nutrition, regular exercise, and stress management—to mitigate these long-term health risks. “I want to help women take control of their health, starting with what they eat,” she says. Tersly Foods aims to provide natural solutions that empower women to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Supporting Nigerian Women with Fertility Challenges

As someone who has personally faced multiple miscarriages and failed IVF treatments, Sarah understands the emotional toll of fertility challenges. At Tersly Foods, she is committed to helping Nigerian women improve their reproductive health through nutrition. The Bloom with PCOS group also provides a safe space for women to share their fertility struggles and access resources for managing PCOS naturally.

The upcoming Bloom App will further extend this support by offering virtual consultations with experts in women’s health and nutrition, giving women personalized guidance while maintaining their privacy.

The Importance of Early Education and Awareness

PCOS often goes undiagnosed for years, which is why Sarah stresses the importance of early education, particularly for parents of young girls. “Educating young women about the importance of regular menstrual cycles and recognizing signs of hormonal imbalance can lead to earlier diagnosis and better management of PCOS,” Sarah explains.

Early detection allows for timely interventions, which can significantly reduce the long-term impact of PCOS on a woman’s health. Sarah encourages parents and educators to create open, supportive environments where girls feel comfortable discussing their health concerns.

Conclusion

PCOS may be a lifelong condition, but it doesn’t have to define your life. Sarah Afolabi-Olagoke’s journey is a testament to the power of lifestyle changes, community support, and access to proper nutrition in managing PCOS symptoms. Through Tersly Foods and Bloom with PCOS, Sarah is empowering women to take charge of their health and live healthier, happier lives.

As the month of September is recognized as PCOS Awareness Month globally, Sarah calls on women everywhere to break the silence around PCOS and take control of their journey to better health.