Oswestry teenager founds polycystic ovary syndrome support group

A young woman founded a support group for women suffering from reproductive health issues, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

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

A few months later, she created the Cysters Circle, which meets periodically in different towns across the county to reach a wider audience.

PCOS causes painful and irregular periods, and the NHS estimates it affects up to one in 10 women in the UK. “[The circle was] really necessary, not just for me but for others as well,” Ms Lewis said.

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that causes the ovaries to produce high amounts of male sex hormones that interfere with the development and release of a woman’s eggs and can also affect periods and fertility.

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

The circle supports women and girls with endometriosis, PCOS or “any other hormonal and reproductive health issues,” she said.

When she was first diagnosed in April, Ms Lewis said she “didn’t know anything about this disease”, finding out about it online.

“It was a mental challenge as well as a physical one,” she added.

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

The group’s first meeting last month had just two other participants – but a few weeks later, at their next meeting in Telford, eleven women attended.

“It’s a huge improvement on our first project, and it’s great to start building this community,” Ms Lewis said.

Participants share their experiences, recommendations and express their frustrations.

“We also have a lot of resources from charitable organizations that we can distribute,” Ms. Lewis continued.

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

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