Oswestry teenager founds polycystic ovary syndrome support group

A young woman founded a support group for women with reproductive health problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Bethany Lewis, 18, is a trainee dental nurse from Weston Rhyn in Shropshire and was diagnosed with PCOS in April 2025.

A few months later, she founded The Cysters Circle, which meets periodically in different cities around the county to reach a wider audience.

PCOS causes painful and irregular periods, and The NHS estimates this will impact up to one in 10 women in the UK. “[The circle was] really needed, not just for me, but for other people,” Ms. Lewis said.

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that causes the ovaries to produce large amounts of male sex hormones, which interfere with the development and release of a woman's eggs and can also affect menstruation and fertility.

Ms Lewis said her symptoms include “very heavy periods” and a “dull ache that doesn't go away”, meaning she often has to take “very strong painkillers”.

According to her, the circle supports women and girls with endometriosis, PCOS or “any other hormonal and reproductive diseases.”

When she was first diagnosed in April, Ms Lewis said she “knew nothing about the disease” while educating herself online.

“It was difficult both mentally and physically,” she added.

“It’s also very lonely here, so it’s good to have support in a group.”

The group's first meeting last month was attended by just two people, but a few weeks later, at its next meeting in Telford, eleven women attended.

“It's a huge leap from our first one and it's nice to just start building this community,” Ms Lewis said.

Visitors share experiences, recommendations and express disappointment.

“We also have quite a lot of resources from charities that we can give away,” Ms. Lewis continued.

“It’s nice to sit there with people who really understand what you’re going through.”

Her aim is to “support more women and girls”, adding that raising awareness is needed “not just locally in Shropshire, but across the UK”.