Experiences of Exercise Advice Among Women With Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome and Endometriosis in Australia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) and endometriosis are common gynecological conditions with no cure. Management is aimed at symptom relief with clinical guidelines recommending lifestyle changes including exercise. The aim of this study was to explore the experience and source of exercise advice that women with PMOS and/or endometriosis have received from healthcare professionals in the management of their condition(s) in comparison to women without these conditions. Participants (N = 151) completed an online survey on experiences, type, and satisfaction of exercise advice, healthcare professional interaction, physical activity levels, mental health, and body image. Participants were women with PMOS (21%), endometriosis (33%), PMOS and endometriosis (10%), and women without these conditions (36%). Exercise advice was received most frequently from GPs (75%) relative to other health professionals. For women with PMOS and PMOS and endometriosis, exercise was most frequently discussed in relation to weight loss/control, in comparison to symptom management for women with endometriosis, and general health in women without these conditions (p = <.001). Women without these conditions were significantly more satisfied (p = .004) with the advice received and more confident (p = .006) to exercise post conversation. Findings show exercise advice is most commonly weight-centric for PMOS and symptom management for endometriosis. Women with PMOS and/or endometriosis report significantly more dissatisfaction and less confidence with advice compared to women without these conditions. This highlights the need for better education or referral to appropriately qualified healthcare professionals when advising on exercise for women with PMOS and/or endometriosis.