title: The lived experience of women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To uncover the meaning of living with polycystic ovary syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phenomenology.
  
  
  METHODS
  A women's health care practice in northeast United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  A purposive sample consisting of 12 women, ages 21 to 48 years, who had been previously diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semistructured interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of the participants' responses revealed the following themes: (a) identifying differences, (b) wanting to be normal, (c) searching for answers, (d) gaining control, (e) attempting to achieve femininity, (f) letting go of guilt, and (g) dealing with it.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polycystic ovary syndrome is a syndrome that impacts women both physically and psychosocially. Nurses can play a key role in assisting women afflicted with this hormonal disturbance through education and support.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ 08628, USA. bsnyder@tcnj.edu
authors.forename: Barbara S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Snyder
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D033262:Narration; D009511:New England; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health