Unseen Battles: An Athlete’s Fight with PCOS on and off the Field
For years, Emma O’Byrne has been a formidable presence on Dublin’s senior camogie team. Her life has been a testament to dedication, with countless hours poured into training and competition, all with the singular goal of representing her county at the highest level. Yet, for eight years since joining the panel, her journey has been punctuated by significant interruptions, forced setbacks dictated by her health.
This International Women’s Day, the accomplished athlete seized the moment to shed light on the often-unseen struggles faced by women in sport. She spoke candidly about how female athletes persevere and excel, even when contending with pain and discomfort stemming from underlying health conditions.
Emma lives with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that profoundly impacts women and can significantly disrupt their daily lives. In a poignant social media post, she shared a series of images, accompanying them with the message: “Happy International Women’s Day. Wanted to share a glimpse into my life as an intercounty athlete with PCOS. Sharing this for other women and girls who might be going through the same thing.”
Her condition often necessitates hospital visits. “Part of my PCOS means that I also deal with ovarian cysts that can rupture and cause extreme pain. This is unpredictable,” Emma explained.
These unpredictable flare-ups have, at times, forced her to step away from the game. She recalled her most significant hurdle in 2023: “My biggest setback as a result of my PCOS was in 2023, dealing with a series of ruptured cysts – forcing me to stop playing for the year and allowing my body to fully recover. Watching from the sidelines was one of the most challenging feelings mentally.”
Beyond the intense physical pain, the hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS also take a significant mental toll. “Along with the physical symptoms, it can also have a strain mentally. The hormonal imbalance can leave me feeling anxious and depressed, and constantly in fight or flight.”
The physical manifestations of PCOS are also far-reaching, impacting the body’s composition and leading to significant weight fluctuations. Emma shared her personal struggle: “The body can also be severely affected by the condition, causing ‘weight fluctuation and affecting body composition. I was constantly hyperfixating on my body and how I looked and as a result, I was under-eating.”
Her drive to conform to an often-unrealistic image of an athlete’s physique inadvertently worsened her symptoms. “I wanted to fit an idea of what I thought an athlete ‘should’ look like. When I underfueled, it made my symptoms worse and had a negative impact on my performance.”
The effects of PCOS are not confined to internal discomfort; they can also present visible challenges. Emma bravely shared several photos highlighting the painful cystic acne that has been a persistent issue. “Posting several shots of her face, Emma points out how it can cause painful cystic acne, which has been a struggle for me and my confidence,” she stated.
While there is currently no known cure for PCOS, Emma hopes that by sharing her experiences, she can offer a sense of solidarity and support to other women facing similar battles.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, she emphasised the importance of open communication, particularly within the sporting environment. “Most camogie teams in the country and female sports in general have predominantly male coaches. So to normalise a conversation, so that we can talk about these issues with our male counterparts, is very important, I think.”
Looking ahead, Emma believes that fostering strong relationships with those in leadership positions is crucial for progress. “Going forward, Emma says, ‘I think it’s really important that we do have that relationship with the people who are in charge. We all have one goal at the very end of the day, so it’s really important to have that connection with the coaches and the other members of the backroom team.'” Her advocacy underscores the need for greater understanding and support for women athletes navigating the complex challenges of chronic health conditions.
