Jag känner mig som ett odjur

: En litteraturstudie om kvinnors upplevelse av att leva med polycystiskt ovarialsyndrom

Abstract

Background: It is estimated that one out of five women lives with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and an unknown number are undiagnosed. Living with the syndrome can cause the women to feel worried, anxious, angry and lonely. Knowledge and information are of great importance in managing the syndrome. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe women's experience of living with polycystic ovary syndrome. Method: A general literature study was conducted based on one quantitative and 11 qualitative articles. The databases PsycINFO, PubMed and Cinahl were used when searching for articles. The quality of the articles was assessed using HKR's review template (2016). In the analysis work, Friberg's (2022) analysis model containing five steps was used. Results: Two main categories were identified; impact on the life situation and encounters with care. Five subcategories were identified; physical impact on the life situation, psychological impact on the life situation, social impact on the life situation, not being taken seriously and needing competent and informative healthcare personnel. Discussion: Shenton's (2004) strategies for ensuring trustworthiness; credibility, confirmability, dependability, and transferability were used when discussing the literature study method. Three findings from the result have been picked out for result discussion; insufficient information, not being confirmed and supported and being a woman in a normative society. The findings are linked to Katie Eriksson's (1994) nursing theory including health care suffering and discussed from a social perspective and ethical aspects.

Date of Award	2022-Dec
Original language	Swedish
Supervisor	Jenny Olsson (Supervisor) & Marie Rask (Examiner)